Oscars 2025 Best Picture Predictions: Nominees and Winners

Now that the dust has settled after the 2024 ceremony, it's time to turn attention to the Oscars 2025 and the films that are competing to secure the Best Picture nomination and campaign for victory. As the surprising 2024 Oscar nominees and winners have proven, predicting the 2025 results so far in advance is no easy task. However, some serious awards season contenders have emerged as Oscar 2025 predictions for all categories have begun to take shape. This includes a strong group of films competing for one of the ten Best Picture nominations.

Even heading into the 2025 Oscar season, some films were seen early on as big contenders. Dune: Part Two is eligible after being pushed back from its original 2023 release date, while new films from Luca Guadagnino, Yorgos Lanthimios, Sean Baker, Edward Berger, Ridley Scott, Steve McQueen and Clint Eastwood were seen as candidates to watch. Of course, awards season always brings a few surprises that gain traction and end up in the Best Picture race. Prior to the official announcement of the appointment on January 17, 2025, Screen speechThe nominees and predicted winners for Best Picture look like this.

Other films still competing for best film

While we can only predict that ten films will be nominated for Best Picture, there is still time for the schedule to change. Some films are still in contention and are hoping to emerge as awards season continues. Films like Hard truths, A real pain, Nickel Boysand The piano lesson are looking to continue the strong momentum that is building in their favor. Meanwhile, international films like I'm still here, Everything we imagine as lightand The Seed of the Sacred Fig could break. Nosferatus and Little baby they also hope that their launches in late 2024 will strengthen their position.

10

The room next door

Release date: December 20, 2024

New film by Pedro Almodóvar The room next door appears to be a potential contender for a Best Picture nomination at the 2025 Oscars. The film stars former Oscar winners Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore and marks Almodóvar's first feature film made in English. This change is notable considering his Academy track record in the International Feature Film category. He won the category in 2000 with All about my mother and was nominated again in 2020 for Pain and Glory. But, The room next door Could Mark His First Best Picture Nomination.

Initial reviews for The room next door have been mostly positive at screenings in Toronto and Venice, which is why the film has so much buzz for this Oscar nomination, especially after winning the Golden Lion in Venice. However, they also reveal a problem with their chances of winning. The majority points out that The room next door It is not among Pedro Almodóvar's best films. The Academy is also known for handing out makeup Oscars to honor people who have done better work before and haven't been properly recognized. Perhaps this narrative can boost Almodóvar's film even further.

9

Gladiator II

Release: November 22, 2024

Considering Ridley Scott's mixed critical and commercial performance in recent years Gladiator II may not seem like an obvious 2025 Oscar contender. However, despite the failure of projects like Napoleonthe film could still be successful. This is largely due to the legacy of his illustrious predecessor. The original Gladiator won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor. This suggests that Scott's film has the potential to be a major contender at the 2025 ceremony. This is especially true given the involvement of illustrious performers like Paul Mescal and Oscar heavyweights like Denzel Washington.

Hope is not lost Gladiator 2 receiving a Best Picture nomination, but is no longer a big contender. The film's mixed positive reception hurt its cause. Its notable omission from the 2025 Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture Drama also didn't bode well, considering the awards show's history of favoring films like Gladiator 2. Ridley Scott's status in Hollywood and affinity for the original film could still help Gladiator 2This is the case of an appointment. However, It seems highly unlikely that it could actually win Best Pictureeven if you get a referral.

8

Dune: Part Two

Release: March 1, 2024

After a long delay, Denis Villeneuve's inspiring work Dune the sequel lost eligibility for the 2024 Oscars. Considering its cultural impact, many felt this was a missed opportunity. However, after huge critical and commercial success, the film established itself as one of the favorites for the next round of awards, despite being released long before other competitors. Concluding the story of Paul Atreides and his transition from outlaw to emperor, the film skillfully weaves an epic scope with thoughtful discussion of imperialism, religion, and romance. Villeneuve is already named as a candidate for Best Director to help its Best Picture credentials.

The story is also linked Dune: Part Twoalongside receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Picture in 2025. Villeneuve's original film received a 2022 nominationbut he didn't win. Your science fiction movie Arrival it also received a Best Picture nomination. With the Oscar voting body clear as fans of his work, Dune 2 arguably surpassing what he did in the first film should allow him to enter the 2025 Best Picture race – even if his chances of winning are slimmer. The film's nomination for Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes reaffirms its status as a contender.

7

Sing Sing

Release: July 12, 2024

After premiering at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Sing Sing has established itself as a true awards contender by checking several popular Oscar boxes. The film is based on the real-life story of Sing Sing Correctional Center's Rehabilitation through the Arts program. Within this context it uses a combined cast of professional actors including former Oscar nominee Colman Domingo and ex-convicts to recreate the production of an original musical Breaking the Mummy Code.

The film's unique premise and production, along with overwhelmingly positive reviews and an intriguing biographical elementmake it a serious contender for Best Picture in 2025. There's no debate about the film's quality and favorable reception from audiences and critics alike, and thankfully there have been no signs of a decline in appreciation for Sing Sing months after its theatrical release. A24's plans to relaunch it and give it a full FYC campaign show it has the studio's support and could gain momentum as the season continues.

6

A complete stranger

Release: December 25, 2024

Bob Dylan biopic by James Mangold A complete stranger is an expected contender for the 2025 Oscars Best Picture race. Starring Timothée Chalamet as the iconic musician, the film will attempt to join the list of musical biopics that have received Best Picture nominations. The Academy Shows Too Much Favor to True Storiesespecially those that revolve around major pop culture figures and have the kind of star power in front of and behind the camera like A complete stranger.

Although A complete stranger has not yet been released at this time, early reactions to Mangold's film have been overwhelmingly positive. This isn't a surprise considering Searchlight's confidence in the film, giving it a Christmas 2024 release date. A complete stranger It's already on voters' radar and could now be one of the eye-catching end-of-year titles to enter the race in full once it's released. And with Searchlight making the film its top priority for the 2025 Oscar season, there's a chance it could rise even higher and emerge as a legitimate contender for victory.

5

Evil

Release date: November 22, 2024

Evil burst onto the scene as a true Oscar contender in many categories, including Best Picture. The 2024 adaptation of the first half of the acclaimed Broadway musical received near-universal praise from critics and audiences. Evil is one of the year's biggest crowd-pleasers, not to mention one of the biggest box office performers. With its stunning musical numbers, production costumes and stellar performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Evil it quickly became considered a shoo-in for a Best Picture nomination.

Musicals don't have the best track record of winning Best Picture, but that could be different this year. Evil already surprises with its pioneering victories, especially with the victory for Best Film from the National Board of Review. Now that it's also been nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture – Comedy or Musical, there's a world where it outperforms films that are considered stronger contenders for Best Picture right now – like anora and Emilia Pérez. If this happens, the possibility of Evil Winning Best Picture could become much more real.

4

The Brutalist

Release date: December 20, 2024

The Brutalist has emerged as a major contender for the 2025 Best Picture Oscar. The three-and-a-half-hour historical epic left a big impression on audiences following its premiere in Venice and subsequent screenings in Toronto. It was enough for A24 to acquire the project, which is from director Brady Corbet and stars Oscar winner Adrien Brody and Oscar nominee Felicity Jonesand provide a release date of late December 2024.

While the year-end release date can sometimes hurt films, it's less of a concern for The Brutalist thanks to its reception at festivals. The film is already gaining support in many other categories – such as Best Director, Best Editing, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor – and this should only reinforce its Best Picture potential. The Golden Globe nomination also helps in this area. A24 is no stranger to turning films into Best Picture contenders any. The Brutalist Now I will try to participate Moonlight and Everything everywhere at the same time as A24 Best Film winners.

3

Emilia Pérez

Release: November 1, 2024

Winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Emilia Pérez is a candidate who challenges the limits for Oscar glory. Starring Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez, the film mixes musical sensibilities with the story of a cartel leader undergoing sexual reassignment surgery with the help of a disgruntled lawyer. With original songs and virtuoso performances across the board, the film quickly established an impressive reputation.

While its content may, in some years, have been considered unconventional for the Oscars, there are other indicators that Emilia Pérez You are on the right path to success. Not only was it nominated for the Palme d'Or, but the film's combined cast received the Best Actress award as a collective ensemble. After finishing as runner-up for the People's Choice Award at TIFF, Emilia Pérez is building the resume needed to be a Best Picture winner. There's support for nominations for Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director and more if voters don't share the more mixed overall response.

2

Conclave

Release: October 25, 2024

Based on the best-selling novel by author Robert Harris, Conclave combines a stacked cast with a gripping story – potentially creating the ideal Best Picture formula. Featuring names like Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini, the film deals with a papal election and an intriguing mystery. The talent lined up in front of the cameras not only contains multiple Oscar nominees, but also Conclave is also directed by Oscar winner Edward Bergerwhose previous project, All quiet on the western frontwon the award for Best International Feature Film in 2023.

The drama appears to be in a good position to land a Best Picture nomination, as most concerns about the unexpected tone seen in some Conclave the reviews that negatively impacted your chances are gone. It's an old-fashioned dramatic thriller that's racking up much-needed nominations at the Golden Globes, AFI and more. With Berger's sharp direction and Fiennes' performance putting him in consideration for a Best Actor Oscar nomination in 2025, Conclave is a very serious threat to win Best Picture. However, since Focus Features never won the Oscar for Best Picture despite 12 previous appointments, Conclave will have to make history.

1

anora

Release date: October 18, 2024

Arguably the most anticipated film of Cannes 2024, anora is the Oscar favorite and our likely Best Picture winner. An atypical romance that illuminates the world of sex work, anora was critically acclaimed – receiving a 10-minute standing ovation from festival-goers upon its premiere. Given this reaction, it's not surprising that the film won the 2024 Palme d'Or. This success positioned the film to continue on the rise once Neon came on board the film as distributor and awards campaign partner.

Neon has a solid track record with the Oscars, including helping to boost Parasite to be the winner of Best Film in 2020, after also being the winner of the Palme d'Or. The studio will try to give anora a similar campaign and position it as the film to beat. Currently, Neon has done just that. Nominations are expected for the film in many categories, with Mikey Madison's Best Actress chances looking strong. It has been recognized by the Golden Globes, NBR, Gotham Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, AFI and several critics groups, so the Oscar should be next.