New Delhi:
The 2025 Academy Awards nominations have been announced and, as usual, there’s a mix of excitement, confusion, and a fair amount of head-scratching.
This year, some of the biggest names in film made it into the nominees, while others, despite critical praise, were left out.
From unexpected surprises to outright snubs, this year’s nominations have sparked debate over what the Oscars really mean and whether they’re evolving or stuck in tradition.
Hit: Big names, big films
This year, the Oscars have recognized some of the industry’s biggest box-office successes and business giants. leading the charge Emilia PerezA film that defied expectations and has emerged as the clear leader in this year’s race.
With 14 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, Emilia Pérez tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirmation surgery and transforms into a trans woman.
Other big names also in the race WickedThe long-awaited film adaptation of the Broadway musical that has captivated audiences around the world. It earned 10 nominations, with standout performances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, both of whom scored in the acting categories.
with Wicked Reaching over $700 million globally, its recognition is both a commercial and artistic triumph.
Similarly, brutalistA dark drama with stunning cinematography and a deeply human story, it earned 10 nominations, including Best Picture. Its Oscar success came despite a modest domestic box office of $6 million.
Dune: Part 2 It also continued its successful awards streak, garnering multiple nominations, including Best Picture. Despite some early doubts about its ability to dominate the Oscars, Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic has maintained its momentum, making it one of the season’s strongest contenders.
like movies a complete unknown And Anora Each made their mark by earning 8 nominations.
Anora It surprised many by grossing $32 million worldwide and garnering nominations in several major categories.
Mistake: What’s left behind?
Like any awards season, there were glaring absences from the list of nominees that stunned both audiences and critics. was the most high-profile miss ChallengersLuca Guadagnino’s highly anticipated film about a love triangle involving professional tennis players, starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Feist.
Despite strong performances, stunning cinematography, and an early Golden Globe nod for Best Original Score, the film failed to earn any nominations. The boycott was one of the most surprising snubs of the year.
Another big miss was Maria, Pablo LarraÃn’s biopic of opera legend Maria Callas, starring Angelina Jolie. Her portrayal of the iconic diva was highly praised and many predicted she would win an Oscar, especially after winning the Golden Globe. Yet, she was overlooked in the crowded race for Best Actress.
Similarly, Baby girlNicole Kidman’s performance as a CEO involved in a workplace affair earned her critical praise and won a Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival, which also failed to garner Oscar recognition.
Remember Selena Gomez, Nicole Kidman and Denzel Washington? The Academy did not do this
While some films were missed entirely, several notable performances were overlooked by the Academy this year, even though they were widely praised throughout the awards season. Zendaya, who received good reviews for both Challengers and Dune: Part Two, failed to receive a nomination.
Similarly, Selena Gomez was snubbed in the Best Supporting Actress category. Many believed her performance would not fare well, but the Academy passed her by, leaving the category somewhat lacking in diversity.
Nicole Kidman, who received plaudits at the Venice Film Festival and the National Board of Review, was ultimately eliminated from the Best Actress race.
Denzel Washington was snubbed from the Best Actor category for his role gladiator 2 There was another big insult. Washington, a longtime Hollywood veteran, was expected to secure a nomination after his strong performance in Ridley Scott’s sequel. However, the film only received a nod for costume design, making it one of the year’s more puzzling boycotts.
Surprises: Unexpected Contenders and Breakout Films
While the biggest stories focused on high-profile snubs, there were also some pleasant surprises in this year’s nominations. i’m still hereThe film, a foreign language drama about a Brazilian woman facing personal and social struggles, was a standout surprise.
Despite predictions that it would be relegated to the Best International Feature category, I’m Still Here earned a surprise nomination for Best Picture, making it one of the few foreign-language films to enter the major categories.
Substance It also managed to secure a Best Picture nomination, a rare feat for a genre film with controversial themes.
In a year full of high-profile films, sing SingA quirky musical about a chimpanzee and a frustrated opera singer, emerged as one of the more unexpected nominees.
With three nominations including Best Original Song like a birdThe film’s unique charm won the Academy over, surprising many who thought it would be dismissed as a niche project.
