Oscars list: Who are the top nominees?

Presenting the complete list of nominees for the 97th Academy Awards, along with the early favourites to bring home the Oscars

The 97th Academy Awards nominations have been unveiled, showcasing a remarkable array of talent and storytelling that transcends borders and genres. Leading the pack is Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical that has garnered an impressive 13 nominations, including one for Best Picture. This film’s recognition marks a historic moment, being the most-nominated non-English-language film to date. Karla Sofía Gascón's nomination for Best Actress also marks the first time an openly transgender performer has been recognised in this category.

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Other frontrunners include The Brutalist and Wicked, each securing 10 nominations. The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, delves into the life of a visionary architect, while Wicked, the much-anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, has enchanted audiences and critics alike.

This year’s Oscars has a couple of notable milestones for diversity: besides Gascón's nomination, Cynthia Erivo’s nod for her role in Wicked makes her the first openly queer Black performer nominated for Best Actress.

The Best Actor category likewise features a compelling lineup, including Timothée Chalamet for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, and Adrien Brody for his role in The Brutalist. In the Best Actress category, Demi Moore receives a nomination for her performance in The Substance, further highlighting the broad range of stories celebrated this year.

The 2025 Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 2, with Conan O’Brien set to host the event. As the anticipation builds, here is a list of the categories, their respective nominees and the early favourites.

Best Picture

Anora
The Brutalist
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
I'm Still Here
Nickel Boys
The Substance
Wicked

Frontrunners: Emilia Pérez of course leads this year’s large field with 13 nominations, as its unique (if controversial) narrative and critical acclaim position it as a strong contender. However, Brady Corbet's The Brutalist has also been praised for its storytelling and visual aesthetics, while Wicked has clearly resonated with both audiences and critics alike.

Also read: Movie review: The emotional odyssey of ‘Anora’, Oscar nominee for Best Picture

Best Director

Sean Baker, Anora
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
James Mangold, A Complete Unknown
Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance

Frontrunners: Brady Corbet is generating buzz as the early favourite to win Best Director for his visionary work in The Brutalist, which is only his third feature film to date. That said, Jacques Audiard's innovative direction in blending musical elements with a compelling narrative in Emilia Pérez has earned him praise, while veteran director James Mangold's biographical portrayal of Bob Dylan showcases his directorial versatility.

Best Actress

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez
Mikey Madison, Anora
Demi Moore, The Substance
Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here

Frontrunners: Karla Sofía Gascón is anticipated to win Best Actress for her transformative role in Emilia Pérez, but Cynthia Erivo's performance in Wicked has made her character a pop culture icon, so it would not be a complete surprise if she takes home the Oscar this year.

Best Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

Frontrunners: Adrien Brody's portrayal in The Brutalist is seen as both powerful and nuanced, making him a likely winner in this competitive category. But Timothée Chalamet’s transformation into Bob Dylan and Colman Domingo's compelling performance as a prison inmate also make them strong contenders.

Best Supporting Actress

Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown
Ariana Grande, Wicked
Felicity Jones, The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini, Conclave
Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Frontrunner: Ariana Grande, with her successful transition from music to film, coupled with the critical acclaim for her role in Wicked, is the popular choice for the award.

Best Supporting Actor

Yura Borisov, Anora
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist
Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Frontrunners: Some Hollywood observers are placing their bets on Golden Globes winner Kieran Culkin, while others have their money on Guy Pearce.

Best Original Screenplay

Sean Baker, Anora
Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold, The Brutalist
Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, and Alex David, September 5
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance

Best Adapted Screenplay

James Mangold and Jay Cocks, A Complete Unknown
Peter Straughan, Conclave
Jacques Audiard (in collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius, and Nicolas Livecchi), Emilia Pérez
RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, Nickel Boys
Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, and John "Divine G" Whitfield, Sing Sing