The oscars 2025 ceremony is just around the corner, promising another unforgettable night of cinematic celebration. Set for March 2, 2025, the 97th Academy Awards will broadcast live from the iconic Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, with comedian Conan O’Brien taking the reins as host. This year’s race has already generated significant buzz, with groundbreaking films and historic nominations setting the stage for what could be one of the most memorable Oscar nights in recent memory.
Top Contenders at the Oscars 2025
Leading the pack of Oscar nominations 2025 is the genre-bending musical crime drama Emilia Pérez, which earned an impressive 13 nods. That tally ties last year’s Oppenheimer for the most nominations a single film has received in recent memory, and more notably, it sets a new record for the most nominations ever earned by a non-English language film. The previous record was jointly held by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and Roma (2018).
Hot on its heels are The Brutalist and Wicked, each securing 10 nominations. Rounding out the top contenders are A Complete Unknown and Conclave, which each earned eight nominations. Together, these five films represent the most nominated movies at the 97th Academy Awards, showcasing a remarkable diversity of storytelling, from historical epics to modern musicals.
How the Oscars 2025 Voting Process Works
Curious about how nominees are chosen? According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, more than 10,500 global film industry artists and leaders participate in the selection process. While every member gets a vote for Best Picture, most other categories are determined by branch-specific professionals. Actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors, and editors nominate editors, ensuring that voters have deep expertise in the categories they judge.
The All-Time Record Holders: Most Oscar Wins by an Individual
Since the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, a handful of industry legends have racked up staggering numbers of wins. Here’s a look at the individuals who have earned the most Oscars in history.
26 Wins: Walt Disney
The legendary animation pioneer and entertainment mogul holds an unmatched record of 26 Academy Awards. Walt Disney’s influence on cinema, particularly animation, remains immeasurable, and his trophy haul is unlikely to ever be surpassed.
13 Wins: Iain Neil
Optical designer Iain Neil has received 13 Scientific and Technical Academy Awards, a category created to honor individuals and companies whose innovations have significantly contributed to the art and science of motion pictures.
11 Wins: Cedric Gibbons
Art director Cedric Gibbons, whose work shaped the visual language of Hollywood’s golden age, earned 11 Academy Awards during his illustrious career.
10 Wins: Farciot Edouart
Special-effects artist Farciot Edouart earned 10 Oscars, helping pioneer visual techniques that defined decades of filmmaking.
Other Notable Multi-Winners
- 9 wins: Dennis Muren (visual effects), Alfred Newman (music composition), Douglas Shearer (sound design)
- 8 wins: Richard Edlund, Edith Head, Alan Menken, Edward H. Reichard, Loren L. Ryder, Edwin B. Willis
Films With the Most Oscar Wins in History
While individual achievement is celebrated, certain films have captured Hollywood’s imagination on awards night like no others. Below are the top films with the most Academy Award wins of all time.
11 Wins (Tied for Most Ever)
- Ben-Hur (1959, MGM) – 12 nominations
- Titanic (1997, 20th Century Fox & Paramount) – 14 nominations
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003, New Line) – 11 nominations
10 Wins
- West Side Story (1961, United Artists) – 11 nominations
9 Wins
- Gigi (1958, MGM) – 9 nominations
- The Last Emperor (1987, Columbia) – 9 nominations
- The English Patient (1996, Miramax) – 12 nominations
8 Wins
A remarkable seven films have each earned eight Academy Awards:
- Gone with the Wind (1939) – 13 nominations plus one special Oscar and one Sci/Tech Award
- From Here to Eternity (1953)
- On the Waterfront (1954)
- My Fair Lady (1964)
- Cabaret (1972)
- Gandhi (1982)
- Amadeus (1984)
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Whether any of the oscars 2025 contenders will join this elite list remains to be seen, but Emilia Pérez‘s 13 nominations put it in a strong position to potentially make history.
Actors With the Most Oscar Nominations
Some actors seem to have a permanent reservation at the Academy Awards. Here’s a look at the performers who have earned the most acting nominations throughout their careers.
21 Nominations: Meryl Streep
The undisputed queen of Oscar nominations, Meryl Streep has earned 21 nods. She has won three Academy Awards: two for Best Actress (Sophie’s Choice and The Iron Lady) and one for Best Supporting Actress (Kramer vs. Kramer).
12 Nominations: Katharine Hepburn & Jack Nicholson
Katharine Hepburn won four Academy Awards from her 12 nominations, while Jack Nicholson claimed three wins from his 12 nods, cementing both as Hollywood royalty.
10 Nominations: Bette Davis & Laurence Olivier
The legendary Bette Davis earned two wins from her 10 nominations, while British icon Laurence Olivier earned one win from his 10 nods.
9 Nominations: A Prestigious Tie
- Al Pacino – 1 win
- Paul Newman – 1 win
- Spencer Tracy – 2 wins
- Denzel Washington – 2 wins
8 Nominations: A Crowded Tier of Greats
- Cate Blanchett – 2 wins
- Marlon Brando – 2 wins
- Glenn Close – 0 wins (notably, despite eight nominations)
- Judi Dench – 1 win
- Jack Lemmon – 2 wins
- Peter O’Toole – 1 Honorary Academy Award
- Geraldine Page – 1 win
- Robert De Niro – 2 wins
Interestingly, Robert De Niro earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Oscars, further extending his legendary career. Glenn Close, meanwhile, remains one of the most-nominated actors without a competitive Oscar win, a fact that Oscar historians frequently highlight.
How to Watch the Oscars 2025
Mark your calendars for March 2, 2025. Red carpet coverage kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT with On The Red Carpet at the Oscars, broadcast on ABC and streamed live at OnTheRedCarpet.com, as well as the official On the Red Carpet Facebook and YouTube pages. The main ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, begins at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on ABC and Hulu, followed by a special preview of American Idol.
Final Thoughts
The oscars 2025 promise to be a landmark celebration of cinema, bridging nearly a century of Hollywood history with the bold, diverse storytelling of today. From Emilia Pérez‘s record-breaking haul to the enduring legacies of Walt Disney, Meryl Streep, and the timeless films that defined the medium, the Academy Awards continue to honor both the icons of the past and the visionaries shaping the future of film. Whether you’re tuning in for the fashion, the speeches, or the surprise wins, this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be one for the history books.