THE Oscars 2025 the season is upon us, and with the nominations coming up in a month – and the winners being announced two months later, it's time to make some bold predictions about what will and won't happen. As awards season gets underway, consensus is easy to emerge. Certain films gain traction throughout the year and are seen as an undisputed group of contenders. And with the sheer volume of precursors, they create a sense of which films will be recognized by the Oscar voting body. This can make everything feel a little predetermined.
There's no denying the fact that certain films are well-positioned to win during awards season. Our predicted Oscar nominees across all categories are just one example of this. These predictions use a variety of data to make educated projections about which films will be liked by voters. However, there's always room for surprises, as the Oscars never quite line up with any of the precursors. While we've outlined other predictions before, there are also bold predictions about the 2025 Oscars that I can see happening that go against the current state of the race.
10
Denis Villeneuve will not be nominated for best director
His work on Dune: Part Two was expected to bring him an Oscar nomination
Denis Villeneuve is no stranger to being snubbed by the Oscars in the Best Director category. It happened with 2021 Dune when he lost the field. It is anticipated that Villeneuve will be nominated for Dune 2as he has been a candidate for months. The sequel is undoubtedly a film, and an even better adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel than the first film. And with Villeneuve becoming one of Hollywood's biggest auteurs mixing in blockbuster work, there was a feeling he could follow Christopher Nolan and eventually even win his Oscar for Best Director.
Even so, Denis Villeneuve could very well miss out on a Best Director nomination at the 2025 Oscars. I think he is more than deserving of a nomination — but he's not doing very well come awards season. Villeneuve's Golden Globe snub for Best Director speaks for itself. With the director already confirmed to do Dune 3 soon, it would make sense for the Academy to ignore him this time, with the expectation of rewarding him with the trilogy's finale.
9
Demi Moore will be nominated for best actress
Her bold performance is one of the best of the year
Demi Moore is absolutely deserving of an Oscar nomination for The substance. It's not something that's currently predicted to happen, but that's why they're called bold predictions. The substance doesn't meet the normal requirements of an Oscar contender, and the same goes for Moore's performance. Still, she offers some recognition for a role that put her at the forefront of a body horror film, where she descends into madness and must make all of Elisabeth's desires and emotions seem believable – which she did.
The Academy typically doesn't recognize performances that are even a little tinged with horror, which is why Moore has been considered an outsider in the 2025 Oscars Best Actress race for so long. However, the film also marks a major return for Moore as the lead star. Even if your chances of achieving a victory are almost impossible, a nomination would be a great opportunity for the Academy to nominate more people for their performance.
8
Sebastian Stan will be nominated for an Oscar for best actor
But for which film?
Sebastian Stan is undoubtedly best known for playing Bucky Barnes aka The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it's a role that has dominated his career for the past 13 years. And yet, Stan has made waves in recent years with his dramatic performances in I, Tonya or Pam and Tommy. 2024 marks without a doubt his best year thanks to his leading roles in two acclaimed films, The Apprentice and A different man. Although his performance in Donald Trump gained him more attention in the news, neither project necessarily seemed like an Oscar contender.
Stan's shift from superhero film actor to dramatic work is the reason he should become an Oscar nominee in 2025. If he was nominated for The Apprentice or A different man is no different. Any of the films could do the job and bring Stan to the Oscar photo for the first time. Given the potential baggage associated The Apprenticerecognizing A different man This could be how he finally enters and shakes up the predicted Best Actor field at the 2025 Oscars.
7
Denzel Washington Won't Win Best Supporting Actor
He's the clear favorite at the moment
Denzel Washington was the presumptive winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor next year, since before Gladiator II it went out. Based on the trailers alone, the former Oscar winner has jumped to the top of the predictions, and his performance in the film itself more than justifies that placement. It almost seems now that Denzel is an absolute lock to win Best Supporting Actor, which is exactly why he might not win at the end of awards season.
Denzel has already won the Oscar twice, so the idea that he should win again is popular. However, he already appears to have reached the peak of his campaign. Most have seen his work and been impressed by it, but someone like Kieran Culkin (A real pain) is still increasing. The more the film is seen, the more support seems to come its way. All this at the expense of supporting Denzel. Without new angles to extend his campaign, he may not join the club of three Oscar winners.
6
The Wild Robot will be nominated for best film
DreamWorks film could be the first
The Best Picture lineup at the Oscars is often filled with the same types of films. Biopics, dramas and the year's most acclaimed mid- to big-budget films typically make up the top 10 nominees. This is expected again in 2025 with indies like anora and Conclaveepics like The Brutalistbiopics like A complete strangerand box office hits like Evil and Dune: Part Two. However, let us boldly predict that The Wild Robot also enters the race for best film at the 2025 Oscars.
DreamWorks has never had an animated film nominated for Best Picture
It's not entirely unheard of for animated films to be nominated for Best Picture, but it's only happened three times. DreamWorks has never had an animated film nominated for Best Picture. Yet, The Wild Robot is one of the best films of the year – not just the best animated film of 2024. While the film is certainly nominated for Best Animated Feature, its potential to earn nominations in Best Song, Best Score and more provides a roadmap to enter the Oscars' biggest category. I think it should, and I hope voters do too.
5
Gladiator 2 Won't Win a Single Oscar
This is a huge contrast to the original film
Gladiator 2 had high Oscar expectations after the performance of Ridley Scott's original film. With 12 nominations, Gladiator was an Oscar powerhouse. It won five Oscars, including Best Picture. There was some optimism that the sequel would be equally revered by voters and hopes that Scott might finally win his first Oscar for Best Director. There is still a good chance of Gladiator 2 to win multiple nominations – but won't win any of them.
Gladiator 2 is not as good a film as the original film, and this drop in quality will certainly be felt by Oscar voters. While it may still receive nominations for Best Supporting Actor and several below-the-line categories, it's not necessarily a favorite in them – outside of Supporting Actor. That would be to leave Gladiator 2 empty-handed when the Oscars are over if Denzel doesn't win and none of the technical aspects are recognized.
4
Nosferatu's Lily-Rose Depp will be nominated for best actress
The Oscars May Recognize True Horror
Horror films traditionally don't do well at the Oscars, including in the Best Actress category. Jodie Foster (Silence of the Lambs), Kathy Bates (Misery) and Natalie Portman (Black Swan) are the only horror-related lead performances to have ever won. The track record of just being nominated isn't good either, with Sissy Spacek (Carrie1976) and Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist1973) as two of the limited examples. Typically, it takes an undeniably excellent horror film and a leading actress to make it to the Oscars.
This is what 2024 has with Nosferatus and Lily-Rose Depp. Even before the film hits theaters, his exceptional performance was praised from an emotional and physical point of view. Appreciation for Robert Eggers' film could put her in contention. The Best Actress category is very competitive, but it's a bold prediction for a reason. Lily-Rose Depp would accomplish what Anya Taylor-Joy (Image: Instagram)The Witch) couldn't do it then.
3
Emilia Pérez will have the most Oscar nominations in 2025
Netflix is ​​great at securing Oscar nominations
Emilia Pérez is a controversial candidate this awards season, but it will certainly be recognized in some way at the 2025 Oscars. It is likely to be up for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Song. But the film could receive nominations in several other categories above and below the line. In fact, a bold prediction is that it will lead in terms of Oscar nominations for all films.
Just playing it safe, Emilia Pérez should have five Oscar nominations on the morning of the nomination. However, it could also potentially double for Best Supporting Actress and Best Song. There are also additional categories below the line in which you can receive nominations, such as Best Cinematography. This would set the film up for come close to or eclipse double-digit Oscar nominations. That's why we think it will lead all films in 2025 with the number of Oscar nominations.
2
Wicked will win more Oscars in 2025
Wicked could be the driving force of awards season
Evil It's certainly gaining traction in awards circles. Winning in the precursors has increased predictions about how many nominations he will get. Now there's a real chance that Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design will be venues for it. The high number of nominations Evil apparently it is heading towards what is expected at this point. But predicting who will be the biggest winner of the night is a little bolder.
The 2025 Oscars have several top contenders, and it is believed that anora, Conclave, The Brutalistor Emilia Pérez they may be the films that win the most awards. However, momentum is on the rise Evilon the side of causing surprises in some main categories. If you get these nominations, could end the night with five or more wins. Based on recent Oscar history, that would put the most Oscars in contention this year.
1
The 2025 Oscars Will Announce A Stunts Category Will Launch Soon
It's about time, right?
This latest bold prediction has nothing to do with the actual winners or nominees for the 2025 Oscars. Instead, we predict that this will be the year the Academy decides to move forward with the Best Stunts category and that an announcement will be made during the ceremony. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt may return as presenters after promotion The fallen guy at last year's ceremony – and including a dig at the Academy for its lack of recognition of stunts in the film – and being part of the announcement.
As the Academy previously announced that Best Cast will be a new category starting at the 2026 Oscarsthe announcement at next year's ceremony could confirm that Best Stunt Performers will also be added – bringing the total number of Oscar categories to 25. This would be a major development from the Oscars 2025 season and position the Oscars to recognize a broader range of films starting next year.