Published By: Sayan Paul

"And the Oscar Goes To..." - Here's Our Predictions in Major Categories at Oscars 2025

With the 97th Academy Awards just around the corner, let's go into the thrill of predictions - who all are winning big this year?

It’s that time of the year again - Oscars! All the cinephiles across the world are eagerly waiting for the grand ceremony, where the most prestigious awards in cinema will be handed out. While the excitement is at its peak, let’s be honest - most of the time, we kind of have an idea of who all are going to win big. There’s data, international buzz, critic reviews, and all the buildup leading to the big night. Like last year, we pretty much knew 'Oppenheimer' would dominate. But the fun part is that no matter what, the Oscars always have some room for surprises. Anything can happen, whether a shocking win or an unexpected snub; and that’s exactly what keeps us hooked.

So, ahead of the 97th Academy Awards, here are our predictions for the major categories. Just remember, these are predictions, not the final verdict. So, if things don’t go as expected, don’t come back saying, "Hey, you got it wrong!" - blame the Academy!

Best Picture - Anora

Nominees: 'Anora', 'The Brutalist', 'A Complete Unknown', 'Conclave', 'Dune: Part Two', 'Emilia Pérez', 'I’m Still Here', 'Nickel Boys', 'The Substance', and 'Wicked'.

Well, the Best Picture award at the Oscars usually goes to the "most liked" film of the year. And without an iota of doubt, Sean Baker's 'Anora' is just that film. Besides the Palme d'Or at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and other accolades, it has won all three Guild Awards of America - the Writers' Guild Award, the Directors' Guild Award, and the Producers' Guild Award.

(Credit: The Academy)

Except for 'Brokeback Mountain', every film in history that has won all three Guild Awards has also won the Oscar for Best Picture. 

Now if the Oscars decide to surprise us, the award could go to 'Conclave' or 'The Brutalist' or 'Emilia Pérez'.

Best Director - Sean Baker

Nominees: Sean Baker ('Anora'), Jacques Audiard ('Emilia Pérez'), Brady Corbet ('The Brutalist'), James Mangold ('A Complete Unknown'), and Coralie Fargeat ('The Substance').

It's a tough competition between Sean Baker for 'Anora' and Brady Corbet for 'The Brutalist', as both have garnered almost the same amount of love at the international film festivals this season. However, given Anora's stronger chances of winning Best Picture, Baker appears to be the frontrunner for Best Director.

(Credit: The Academy)

Best Actor - Timothée Chalamet

Nominees: Timothée Chalamet ('A Complete Unknown'), Adrien Brody ('The Brutalist'), Ralph Fiennes ('Conclave'), Sebastian Stan ('The Apprentice'), and Colman Domingo ('Sing Sing').

For his nuanced performance in 'The Brutalist', Adrien Brody has won both the Golden Globe and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role this year. While the chances for him to win the Oscar are quite high, my bet this year is on Timothée Chalamet. It's not only because he delivered an incredible performance in 'A Complete Unknown', but also because he portrayed Bob Dylan in the film - one of the most iconic figures in American pop culture. And as you may know, such things do make a difference at the Oscars. On the other hand, he has won the SAG Award for Best Actor (becoming the youngest recipient of the award), which may work in his favor as well.

(Credit: The Academy)

Now if you think Chalamet is too young for an Oscar, remember that he is 29 years old - the same age Adrien Brody was when he won his Oscar for 'The Pianist'.

Best Actress - Demi Moore

Nominees: Demi Moore ('The Substance'), Mikey Madison ('Anora'), Cynthia Erivo ('Wicked'), Karla Sofía Gascón ('Emilia Pérez'), and Fernanda Torres ('I’m Still Here').

In ‘The Substance’, Demi Moore played a once-celebrated but now-faded Hollywood star - a role that feels like a reflection of her own Hollywood journey. Needless to say, she was pitch-perfect in that film, taking the entire world by storm with her performance. With Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild wins to her name, she emerges as a frontrunner for this year’s Best Actress Oscar.

However, Mikey Madison for 'Anora' could give Moore a tough fight here. The hype surrounding her performance has been sky-high, and additionally, she has won the British Film Academy and the Spirit Awards.

(Credit: NEON)

Both performances are great - but you know why I’m betting on Moore? The Oscars have a history of making statements with their awards, and honoring Moore would send a powerful one. She is a veteran in the industry and has consistently inspired many artists over the years. Also, she advocates for various important but neglected things, particularly gender pay equality in Hollywood. By recognizing her with the award, the Oscars may make a point as well.

(Credit: The Academy)

See, this isn't to mean she doesn’t deserve the award - she absolutely does. But when there are two strong contenders, the Oscars have always followed such strategies. It’s just how the system works!

These are the four major categories at the Oscars. Besides, our predictions also include 'Anora' for Best Original Screenplay, 'Conclave' for Best Adapted Screenplay, Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) for Best Supporting Actor, Zoe Saldaña ('Emilia Pérez') for Best Supporting Actress, and 'Emilia Pérez' or 'The Girl With the Needle' for Best Foreign Language Film.