The 97th Academy Awards have officially wrapped up, and the night was nothing short of spectacular. With emotional speeches, groundbreaking victories, and a few surprises, the Academy Awards Oscar winners left audiences in awe. From indie breakout Anora sweeping major categories to a powerful documentary taking center stage, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Oscar winners.
Anora Shines in Academy Awards Oscar Winners
One name echoed throughout the night—Anora. The indie film, directed by Sean Baker, proved to be the ultimate winner, taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Baker’s storytelling prowess, which was previously evident in Tangerine and The Florida Project, finally received its long-awaited recognition on the Oscars stage. With this sweep, Baker tied the record for most Oscars won in a single night, a feat previously achieved by Walt Disney and Bong Joon-ho.
Mikey Madison Shines as Best Actress
The Best Actress category was one of the most competitive this year, but it was Mikey Madison who walked away with the golden statue for her breathtaking performance in Anora. Playing a sex worker entangled with Russian oligarchs, Madison delivered a performance that was both raw and unforgettable.
The Complete List of Academy Awards Oscar Winners 2025
While Anora was the biggest winner, plenty of other films and artists made history. Here’s a full breakdown of this year’s Academy Awards Oscar winners:
Major Category Winners:
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (Succession)
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)
- Best Original Screenplay: Anora – Sean Baker
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Oppenheimer
- Best Editing: Anora
- Best Cinematography: The Brutalist
- Best Animated Feature: Inside Out 2
- Best International Feature Film: The Zone of Interest (United Kingdom)
- Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
No Other Land: A Documentary with a Message
One of the night’s most powerful moments came when No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature. The film, co-directed by Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, highlights the destruction of Palestinian villages in Masafer Yatta, bringing attention to a harsh reality many choose to ignore. The directors used their acceptance speech to advocate for justice and human rights, earning a standing ovation from the audience.
Snubs and Surprises
No Oscars night is complete without a few unexpected turns. Here are some of the night’s biggest surprises:
The Brutalist Wins Big but Misses Best Picture
Despite strong performances and a visually stunning narrative, The Brutalist didn’t win Best Picture but did manage to grab Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design.
Musical Giants Emilia Perez and Wicked Left Wanting More
Two of the most talked-about films going into the night, Emilia Perez and Wicked, had 13 and 10 nominations, respectively. However, each walked away with only two Oscars, a far cry from their initial buzz.
Why This Year’s Oscars Matter
The Academy Awards Oscar winners of 2025 didn’t just take home trophies; they made history in several ways:
- Diversity and Inclusion: This year saw wins for artists from various backgrounds, further pushing Hollywood towards a more inclusive future.
- Indie Films Take Over: Anora proved that independent films can dominate the Oscars, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers.
- Documentaries with Impact: No Other Land showed that documentaries can make a powerful statement on a global stage.
Final Thoughts
The Academy Awards Oscar winners this year set a new benchmark for creativity, inclusivity, and storytelling. Whether it was Sean Baker’s historic wins, Mikey Madison’s emotional victory, or the impactful speech from No Other Land‘s directors, the 2025 Oscars will be remembered for years to come.
What was your favorite Oscar moment this year? Let us know in the comments!