March 3, 2025: The 97th Academy Awards were packed with unforgettable surprises and shocking snubs that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. From unexpected wins to long-awaited losses, here are the key moments that made the 2025 Oscars stand out.
Surprise: Mikey Madison Wins Best Actress
Despite Demi Moore’s impressive streak, including wins at the Critics’ Choice, SAG, and Golden Globes, it was Mikey Madison who stunned audiences by taking home the Best Actress award for her performance in Anora. Moore, the frontrunner for her role in The Substance, was left out of the race, and Madison’s victory became one of the most talked-about surprises of the night.
Snub: Original Song Performances
While the Oscars are known for their unforgettable live performances of original songs, this year’s nominees fell flat in comparison to the legendary renditions of past years. From Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s iconic “Endless Love” to last year’s epic “I’m Just Ken,” this year’s performances didn’t reach the same level of magic. Fans were disappointed by the lack of memorable moments in this category.
Surprise: ‘I’m Still Here’ Wins Best International Feature
Brazil’s I’m Still Here pulled off a massive upset by taking home the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, defeating the heavily favored Emilia Perez. The film, directed by Walter Salles, made history as the first Brazilian film to win in the category. With Emilia Perez having 13 nominations compared to I’m Still Here’s three, the win was a major surprise.
Snub: Diane Warren’s 16th Oscar Loss
Legendary songwriter Diane Warren suffered her 16th Oscar loss after being nominated for her song “The Journey” from Six Triple Eight, performed by H.E.R. Despite her long history of nominations, Warren couldn’t break her streak of near-misses, leading to disappointment among her many supporters.
Surprise: Flow Wins Best Animated Feature
Latvia’s small animated film Flow, directed by Gints Zilbalodis, shocked the world by taking home the Best Animated Feature award. The film edged out heavyweights like Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot, making it one of the most unexpected victories of the evening.
Surprise: Sean Baker Wins Best Editing
Sean Baker, the director and editor of Anora, took home the Best Editing Oscar, surprising many who had expected Conclave to win the category. Baker’s win marked another milestone for the film and cemented its place as one of the most successful of the night.
Snub: Michelle Trachtenberg, Tony Todd, and Other Big Names Omitted from the In Memoriam
The Oscars’ In Memoriam segment left out several big names, most notably Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg and actors Tony Todd, Shannen Doherty, and Olivia Hussey. Despite being important figures in the industry, their absence from the tribute sparked controversy.
Surprise: Emilia Perez Ties for Biggest Oscar Loser of All Time
Despite being nominated in 12 categories, Emilia Perez left the Oscars empty-handed, tying with The Color Purple, The Turning Point, and Becket as one of the most-nominated films in Oscar history to lose in every category.
Surprise: No Other Land Wins Best Documentary
One of the biggest surprises of the evening came when No Other Land won Best Documentary. The film, which had no U.S. distribution, defied expectations and claimed the top honor, proving that even without a traditional release, the film had enough impact to win over voters.
Another Surprise: Adrien Brody Asks for Music to Stop During His Best Actor Speech
In another surprising moment, Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor for his performance in The Brutalist, requested that the Oscar ceremony music be stopped during his acceptance speech. The music did stop, and Brody’s speech was given the full attention it deserved, a rare moment of sincerity at the glamorous event.
The 2025 Oscars were filled with emotional highs and unexpected turns, making it a ceremony to remember for years to come.