The 2025 Oscars are packed with exciting movies, talented actors, and even a little controversy! Let’s break it down in an easy-to-follow A-Z guide, covering everything from award-winning films to surprising snubs.
A is for Anora
A modern-day Pretty Woman, this film follows a young sex worker who falls for a Russian oligarch’s son. It won the top prize at Cannes, and Mikey Madison is up for Best Actress.
B is for The Brutalist
A three-and-a-half-hour epic about a Hungarian architect in post-war America. Adrien Brody shines in the lead role, earning an Oscar nod after winning at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes.
C is for Conclave
This Vatican drama, based on Robert Harris’s novel, is a frontrunner for Best Picture. Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence and earns his third Oscar nomination.
D is for Dune: Part 2
Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides in this sci-fi blockbuster. With stunning visuals, politics, and giant sandworms, it’s a must-watch.
E is for Emilia Perez
This Spanish-language musical follows a Mexican drug lord undergoing gender transition. It leads the Oscars with 13 nominations but faced backlash over casting and controversial tweets.
F is for Flow
A wordless animated movie about a cat and other animals surviving a flood. It brings Latvia its first-ever Oscar nominations.
G is for Gromit (Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl)
Aardman brings back the beloved duo, featuring the return of villain Feathers McGraw. Can Gromit fetch another Oscar win?
H is for Heartbreak of I’m Still Here
This Brazilian drama tells the emotional true story of a mother searching for her missing husband. It has three nominations, including Best Picture.
I is for Inside Out 2
A sequel to Pixar’s hit movie, introducing new emotions like Anxiety and Envy. A strong Best Animated Feature contender.
J is for Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)
A biopic about young Donald Trump, starring Stan as Trump and Strong as his mentor Roy Cohn. Trump called it a “defamatory hatchet job,” but the Oscars loved it.
K is for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Up for Best Visual Effects, alongside other monkey-themed films like Better Man (a Robbie Williams biopic) and Wicked.
L is for Late (as in Elton John at his party)
Nominated for Best Original Song (Never Too Late), but attending the Oscars means he’ll miss most of his annual charity bash.
M is for Memoir of a Snail
A stop-motion animated film about loneliness, featuring Succession’s Sarah Snook. A heartbreaking but beautiful contender.
N is for Nickel Boys
A powerful Best Picture nominee about abuse in a 1960s US reform school, shot from the perspective of its two lead characters.
O is for O’Brien (Conan O’Brien)
The comedian takes over as Oscars host, promising to target stars who have been “cruel” to him over the years.
P is for A Real Pain
A moving film about two cousins exploring their family’s history in Poland. Kieran Culkin is stealing the spotlight this awards season.
Q is for Queer (and other snubs)
Daniel Craig’s performance in Queer, Angelina Jolie in Maria, and Denzel Washington in Gladiator II were all left out.
R is for Robots (The Wild Robot)
An animated tearjerker about an android raising an orphaned gosling. Lupita Nyong’o voices the main character.
S is for Sing Sing
Based on a true story, this prison drama features real ex-inmates alongside actors like Colman Domingo.
T is for The Substance
Demi Moore’s horror comeback about an aging actress takes a dark turn. She won a Golden Globe—can she get an Oscar too?
U is for Unknown (A Complete Unknown)
Timothée Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in this Best Picture nominee. If he wins Best Actor, he’ll break Adrien Brody’s record as the youngest-ever winner.
V is for Vampires (Nosferatu)
Bill Skarsgård plays the iconic Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’s gothic horror film. Nominated for cinematography and production design.
W is for Wicked
This Wizard of Oz prequel is a Best Picture nominee but is more likely to win in the costume, makeup, and music categories.
X is for The SiX Triple Eight
Diane Warren earns her 16th Best Original Song nomination but has never won. This time, her song The Journey is in the spotlight.
Y is for Yuck!
A 13-minute French animated short about a boy who thinks kissing is disgusting. Short films are often overlooked, but worth watching!
Z is for Zimmer (Hans Zimmer, disqualified)
Zimmer’s Dune 2 score was ruled ineligible because too much music was recycled from the first film. Tough luck, Hans!
The 2025 Oscars are full of exciting films, record-breaking nominees, and unexpected twists. Who will take home the biggest awards? We’ll find out on Oscar night!
