Each year, the Academy Awards hold their annual Oscars which focus on honoring cinematic films and talented actors. The 2025 award ceremony had an audience of 19.7 million viewers, their largest viewing count in five years. This year’s host Conan O’Brien took the stage entertaining the crowd with comedic jokes, a musical performance, and a memorable monologue. O’Brien’s presence helped pull the night together as he presented each announcer and kept the fun spirit ongoing.
‘Wicked’ actresses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo enchanted viewers with their magical vocals as the Oscars commenced, opening with a medley of songs from the ‘Wicked’ film which was nominated a total of 10 times. Despite not winning all the nominated categories, the film still took home a total of 2 Oscars. Paul Tazewell made Academy Awards history as he was the first black man to win an Oscar in the costume designing category. The movie also won the award for Best Production Design for its intricate and whimsical sets.
There was one film in particular which conquered that night, and that was ‘Anora’. Winning 5 out of its 6 nominations, the movie triumphed over every other film — winning Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. Wicked wasn’t the only film to make history that night, as director Sean Baker made history by becoming the only person ever to win four Oscar awards on a single night for one film. Actress Mikey Madison also won her first Oscar ever, taking home the Best Actress award for her role as Anora, defeating Demi Moore.
Other actors who were rewarded that night include Adrien Brody who won Best Actor for ‘The Brutalist’, and Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin who won best supporting actress and actor for films “Emilia Perez” and “A Real Pain”. The Oscars also took the time to honor legendary actors and actresses who passed in their memoriam segment, such as Louis Gossett Jr., Kris Kristofferson, Teri Garr, M. Emmet Walsh, John Amos, Shelley Duvall, Bill Cobbs, Joan Plowright, Bob Newhart, and Dabney Coleman.
The Oscars also paid tribute to the iconic James Bond franchise, having popular singers gather to put on a musical performance. Blackpink’s LISA sang “Live and Let Live”, the theme from the 1973 film, Doja Cat then sang “Diamonds Are Forever” from the 1971 film, and RAYE finished off the tribute with a cover of Adele’s “Skyfall”. Each artist’s unique vocals blended beautifully to execute this segment of the night.
Eventually the ceremony came to an end after nearly four hours. Many films and actors got the spotlight they deserved, including those who did not receive an award. The 2025 Oscars had plenty of highlights, and viewers are anticipating what the future holds.