Oscars 2025 recap: Biggest moments from the 97th Academy Awards

The 97th Academy Awards took place Sunday night.

Last Updated: March 2, 2025, 11:05 PM EST

The 2025 Oscars honored the best in cinema from the past year Sunday night.

The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, ended with "Anora" taking home the coveted trophy for best picture.

"Anora" was the top film of the night, taking home five Oscars including best director for Sean Baker.

The top acting prizes went to Adrien Brody, who won best actor for "The Brutalist," and Mikey Madison, who won best actress for "Anora." Winning in the supporting categories were "Emilia Pérez" star Zoe Saldaña and "A Real Pain" star Kieran Culkin.

Heading into the ceremony, "Emilia Pérez" led the field of nominees with 13 total Oscar nominations. It ended the night with two trophies.

This year's show honored the city of Los Angeles in the wake of the wildfires that left at least 29 dead and destroyed thousands of homes earlier this year, bringing firefighters onto the Oscars stage and hosting a charitable component to raise money for fire victims.

The Oscars ceremony aired live on ABC and streamed live on Hulu for the first time.

Scroll down for a recap of the 2025 Oscars.

Key moments:

Here's how the night unfolded. All times Eastern.
Mar 02, 2025, 8:13 PM EST

'Anora' wins best original screenplay

Sean Baker won the Oscar for best original screenplay for "Anora."

In his acceptance speech, Baker thanked the sex worker community.

"They have shared their stories, they have shared their life experiences with me over the years. My deepest respect, thank you. I share this with you," he said.

PHOTO: Producer Sean Baker accepts the award for Best Original Screenplay for "Anora" onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards Hollywood,  March 2, 2025.
Producer Sean Baker accepts the award for Best Original Screenplay for "Anora" onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Other nominees in the category included Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold for "The Brutalist"; Jesse Eisenberg for "A Real Pain"; Coralie Fargeat for "The Substance"; and Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum and Alex David for "September 5."

Mar 02, 2025, 8:04 PM EST

Paul Tazewell wins best costume design Oscar for 'Wicked'

Paul Tazewell won the Oscar for best costume design for "Wicked."

"This is absolutely astounding," Tazewell said, accepting the trophy.

Tazewell called the win a "very significant honor," noting that he is the first Black man to win in the category.

"I'm so proud of this," he said.

Paul Tazewell accepts the Costume Design award for "Wicked" onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025 in Hollywood.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Actors from the films the nominees worked on presented the category, including Lily-Rose Depp, Elle Fanning, John Lithgow, Connie Nielsen and Bowen Yang.

Other nominees in the category included Arianne Phillips for "A Complete Unknown," Lisy Christl for "Conclave," Janty Yates and Dave Crossman for "Gladiator II," and Linda Muir for "Nosferatu."

Mar 02, 2025, 7:49 PM EST

’In the Shadow of the Cypress’ wins best animated short film

The Oscar for best animated short film went to "In the Shadow of the Cypress.”

Other films nominated in the category included "Beautiful Men," "Magic Candies," "Wander to Wonder" and "Yuck!"

PHOTO: Iranian animator and film director Shirin Sohani (L) and Iranian animator Hossein Molayemi accept the award for Best Animated Short Film for "In the Shadow of the Cypress" onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Iranian animator and film director Shirin Sohani (L) and Iranian animator Hossein Molayemi accept the award for Best Animated Short Film for "In the Shadow of the Cypress" onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Mar 02, 2025, 7:48 PM EST

’Flow’ wins best animated feature film

The Oscar for best animated feature film went to "Flow.”

Other films nominated in the category included "Inside Out 2," "Memoir of a Snail," "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl" and "The Wild Robot."

Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis accepts the award for Best Animated Feature Film for "Flow" onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

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