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

The 97th Academy Awards took place Sunday night.

Last Updated: March 3, 2025, 4:05 AM GMT

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 03, 2025, 3:46 AM GMT

'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 03, 2025, 3:42 AM GMT

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 03, 2025, 3:42 AM GMT

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."

Mar 03, 2025, 3:31 AM GMT

Sean Baker urges people to visit movie theaters in acceptance speech

During his best director acceptance speech, Sean Baker thanked the academy and spoke about the importance of supporting movie theaters.

He urged people to visit independently owned movie theaters, pointing to the screens lost during the pandemic.

"Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater," he said. "Watching a film in the theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together, scream in fright together, perhaps sit in devastated silence together, and in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever. It's a communal experience you simply don't get at home. And right now, the theatergoing experience is under threat. Movie theaters, especially independently-owned theaters, are struggling, and it's up to us to support them."

US producer Sean Baker accepts the award for Best Director for "Anora" onstage during the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, March 2, 2025.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Baker called the moviegoing experience "a vital part of our culture."

He then vowed that he will continue making films for the big screen and urged parents to introduce their kids to feature films in the movie theater.

"Parents, introduce your children to feature films in movie theaters, and you'll be molding the next generation of movie lovers and filmmakers," he added. "And for all of us, when we can, please watch movies in the theater and let's keep the great tradition of the moviegoing experience alive and well."

He ended his speech by thanking his mom, whose birthday is also today.

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