The Oscars are just around the corner, and Hollywood is buzzing with speculation about who will walk away with those coveted golden statuettes. This year's lineup of nominees is nothing short of stacked, featuring a mix of proven talents, daring newcomers, and films that got everyone talking. Epic musicals and hard-hitting dramas have made 2025 a year of undeniable cinematic highs. But who has the best odds of taking home that Oscar glory? Well, we've done the deep-dive into the nominees and the major award circuits to bring you some bold predictions. It's all speculation for now, but hey, what's the Oscars without a little drama and guessing game? Grab your popcorn and your ballots because this looks like it's going to be one of the most unpredictable ceremonies yet!

Best Picture: A Three-Way Race?

This year's Best Picture contenders are nothing short of extraordinary, and the competition is tighter than a Netflix login screen after password sharing got banned. Among the ten nominees, three are emerging as clear frontrunners:

  • Anora (Neon): Directed by Sean Baker, this gritty yet heartfelt drama has defied odds, cementing itself as the one to beat. Its late-season surge after winning at both the DGA (Directors Guild) and PGA (Producers Guild) puts Anora in the enviable position of front-runner. Many compare its rise to Nomadland, which swept awards a few years ago. This could be the winner if the Academy leans into heartwarming, character-driven storytelling.
  • The Brutalist (A24): A gorgeous, sprawling drama by Brady Corbet, this film leads nominations with several nods across categories, including Cinematography and Production Design. Think of this as the artsy, prestige pick. The Brutalist may not click with every person, but its sweeping visuals and ambitious storytelling could still win over enough Academy hearts.
  • Conclave (Focus Features): This tense Vatican thriller is having its Argo moment. With wins at the BAFTAs and SAG Awards, it's leaning into its middlebrow appeal, which tends to resonate with older voters. However, the lack of a Best Director nomination for Edward Berger could hurt its chances.

Forced to pick, we'd bet on Anora to edge out its competitors, given its momentum with precursor wins. However, The Brutalist and Conclave have all the ingredients to pull off a last-minute upset.

Best Director: Sean Baker's to Lose?

Sean Baker is heavily favored to win in the Best Director category for Anora. Known for his knack for capturing raw human emotion, Baker has become one of Hollywood's most respected voices, and his latest film is no exception. Many predict he'll walk away with the trophy because he can balance heartache and hope.

Still, Brady Corbet's direction in The Brutalist is a close second. The scale of his vision and the precision in his storytelling earned Corbet many fans this awards season. Some are even calling it an upset in the making.

Meanwhile, Coralie Fargeat's work in The Substance offers a fresh, feminist take on horror, drawing comparisons to Jordan Peele's rise with Get Out. Though her chances are slim, a surprise win here would send ripples through Hollywood.

Best Actor: Is This Adrien Brody's Big Comeback?

Adrien Brody's performance in The Brutalist is already being called one of the most powerful of his career, marking what could be a triumphant return to the Oscars stage after two decades. His portrayal of an ambitious yet flawed architect is haunting and human, making him the favorite for the win.

But watch out for Ralph Fiennes in Conclave. A seasoned actor with plenty of goodwill from the Academy, Fiennes has charmed audiences with his understated yet compelling role in this papal thriller. He's definitely in the running.

Don't sleep on Colman Domingo either. His riveting performance in Sing Sing has created significant buzz, and a vocal group of supporters believe he deserves the gold.

Best Actress: Demi Moore's Career-Defining Moment

Speaking of comebacks, Demi Moore looks poised to snag her first Oscar for her chilling performance in The Substance. Playing against type, Moore dives into a terrifying role filled with nuance and vulnerability. Critics have been raving about her performance since the film premiered.

However, Mikey Madison (Anora) could surprise everyone. Her raw, emotional role as the film's lead has drawn comparisons to Frances McDormand's Oscar-winning turn in Nomadland. Madison may pull off a win if the Academy leans more sentimental.

Worth noting is Cynthia Erivo, who dazzled as Elphaba in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked. Her performance was extraordinary, but musicals don't always get the recognition they deserve in major acting categories. Still, her nomination is a win for the genre.

Supporting Categories That Are Anything but Supporting

The supporting categories this year are stacked with veterans and scene-stealing performances. Here's a quick rundown:

  • Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) is the clear favorite. Coming off his phenomenal run on Succession, Culkin proves his big-screen chops in this emotional drama about grief. But Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) might just be nipping at his heels.
  • Supporting Actress: Isabella Rossellini's role in Conclave is the kind of dream performance Oscar voters adore. Poised, powerful, and deeply memorable, she could easily walk away with the win. Then there's Zoe Saldaña, who turned heads in Emilia Pérez. The film itself has faced some controversy, and Saldaña's performance still continues to garner praise.

Can "Wicked" Break Into the Top Fields?

Thanks to its lush visual splendor, Wicked has dominated in technical categories like Costume Design and Production Design. It all but guarantees a win in those areas. But can it go beyond that? Ariana Grande snagged a nomination for her supporting role as Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba leads the charge in leading actress. It's unlikely Wicked will take home Best Picture, but it may secure a few major wins and cement its status as the quintessential movie musical of the decade.

Other Categories to Watch

  • Animated Feature: The Wild Robot (DreamWorks Animation) looks unstoppable this year, though Pixar's "Inside Out 2" might just pull off an upset.
  • Original Song: Diane Warren's emotional track "The Journey" from The Six Triple Eight is predicted to win, a much-deserved recognition for one of the industry's most prolific songwriters.
  • Cinematography: The Brutalist is leading this category with good reason. Its visual style is breathtaking, often leaving audiences in awe. If any film can topple it, though, it's Nosferatu, which reimagines horror with hauntingly beautiful imagery.