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

The 97th Academy Awards took place Sunday night.

ByHayley FitzPatrick, Carson Blackwelder, Angeline Jane Bernabe, and Mason Leib via GMA logo
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, 11:01 PM EST

'Anora' filmmakers highlight independent filmmaking during best picture Oscar speech

The cast and filmmakers of "Anora" took the Oscars stage after winning the coveted award for best picture.

Alex Coco, Samantha Quan and Sean Baker accepted the award on the film's behalf.

PHOTO: Cast and crew accept the Best Picture award for "Anora" onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre, on March 2, 2025, in Hollywood, Calif.
Cast and crew including Darya Ekamasova, Lindsey Normington, Vache Tovmasyan, Karren Karagulian, Alex Coco, Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Samantha Quan, Luna Sofía Miranda, Sean Baker, Drew Daniels and Yura Borisov accept the Best Picture award for "Anora" onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre, on March 2, 2025, in Hollywood, Calif.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Coco encouraged independent filmmakers in his acceptance speech, saying, "We made this movie independently. If you're trying to make independent films, please keep doing it. We need more. This is proof."

Quan, in her acceptance speech, said, "We made this with very little money, but all of our hearts. To all of the dreamers and the young filmmakers out there, tell the stories you want to tell. Tell the stories that move you. I promise you, you will never regret it."

Baker ended the night in saying, "This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists -- and long live independent film."

Mar 02, 2025, 10:46 PM EST

'Anora' wins best picture Oscar

"Anora" won the Academy Award for best picture at the 2025 Oscars.

A scene from the movie "Anora."
Universal Pictures

The award was presented by "When Harry Met Sally" co-stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

Other films nominated in the category included "The Brutalist," "A Complete Unknown," "Conclave," "Dune: Part Two," "Emilia Pérez," "I'm Still Here," "Nickel Boys," "The Substance" and "Wicked."

Mar 02, 2025, 10:42 PM EST

Mikey Madison says she will 'continue to support and be an ally' in acceptance speech

Mikey Madison thanked her family, the 'Anora' team and more in her best actress acceptance speech.

"I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today, is really incredible."

She also honored the sex worker community, saying, "I will continue to support and be an ally."

"All of the incredible people, the women that I've had the privilege of meeting from that community has been one of the highlights of this entire incredible experience."

She also praised her fellow nominees during her speech.

Mikey Madison wins the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Anora" during the Oscars show at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Carlos Barria/Reuters

Mar 02, 2025, 10:42 PM EST

Mikey Madison wins best actress Oscar

Mikey Madison won the Oscar for best actress for her performance in "Anora."

Mikey Madison in "Anora."
Neon

This is Madison's first nomination and first win.

The category was presented by last year's best actress winner, "Poor Things" star Emma Stone.

Other nominees in the best actress race included Cynthia Erivo for "Wicked," Karla Sofía Gascón for "Emilia Pérez," Demi Moore for "The Substance" and Fernanda Torres for "I'm Still Here."

Related Topics