And The Nominees Are...
Overview of all Oscar Nominees here ➜ The 97th Academy Awards.
An Expansive Celebration of Cinema
When the 97th Academy Awards curtain rises, it will honor an array of films spanning musicals, historical dramas, and incisive character studies. This year’s nominees highlight the breadth of storytelling and craftsmanship seen throughout 2024 and early 2025. Every category—from acting and directing to animation and documentary—demonstrates the film industry’s continued quest to push creative boundaries.
Outstanding Performances in Lead Roles
The competition for Actor in a Leading Role features Adrien Brody in The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo in Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes in Conclave, and Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice. On the Actress in a Leading Role side, Cynthia Erivo in Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez, Mikey Madison in Anora, Demi Moore in The Substance, and Fernanda Torres in I’m Still Here each bring compelling narratives and character arcs to the screen.
The Artistry of Supporting Roles
Crucial to any film’s success are the performances that enhance its core story. This year, Yura Borisov (Anora), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown), Guy Pearce (The Brutalist), and Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) contend for Actor in a Supporting Role. Meanwhile, Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) vie for Actress in a Supporting Role, reinforcing the variety of cinematic worlds on display.
Vision Behind the Camera
From Sean Baker’s approach in Anora to Coralie Fargeat’s direction of The Substance, this year’s nominees for Best Directing illustrate diverse creative visions. Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), and Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez) round out a category that celebrates innovation in storytelling and the meticulous orchestration of cast and crew.
Technical Excellence and Global Perspectives
Beyond acting and directing, the awards also salute achievements in cinematography, film editing, and design. Nominations span major productions like Dune: Part Two and Gladiator II as well as atmospheric projects such as Nosferatu. In the International Feature Film category, nominees from Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, and Latvia underscore cinema’s global resonance. Animated films—ranging from Flow to Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl—continue to prove that animation is as innovative as ever, while documentary features and shorts delve into real-world topics, spotlighting social, political, and cultural issues.
Music, Makeup, and More
Music stands out with evocative original scores for films like Wicked and The Wild Robot. Nominated original songs, including “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez and “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late, show how music complements on-screen storytelling. Meanwhile, makeup and hairstyling categories shine a light on transformations seen in A Different Man, Nosferatu, and more, showcasing the subtle yet vital art of character creation.
A Night to Remember
The 97th Academy Awards celebrate the collective passion and creativity that define modern filmmaking. From lead performances that carry entire narratives to supporting roles that add invaluable depth, each film contributes something unique to this year’s cinematic landscape. For those eager to explore every category and nominee in detail,
Overview of all Oscar Nominees here ➜ The 97th Academy Awards.
