Who will win the Oscar? A look at the 10 best movie contenders for 2025

Hollywood: The countdown to Oscars 2025 is on, and the Best Picture race is tighter than ever. With critical darlings, epic blockbusters, and unexpected late-season surges, this year's competition remains unpredictable.

Here’s a look at the 10 nominees vying for Hollywood’s biggest prize:

The frontrunners

1. "Anora" – Sean Baker’s gripping tragicomedy about a Brooklyn sex worker’s Cinderella dreams won Cannes' top prize, then defied the odds by sweeping Hollywood’s major guild awards. Despite its Golden Globes snub, momentum is now on its side.
    
2. "Conclave" – The Vatican-set thriller stunned everyone with a BAFTA win and a Screen Actors Guild victory, making it a serious threat to "Anora." With Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini delivering powerhouse performances, this late-season favorite could triumph.

The Dark Horses

The controversial entry

1. "Emilia Perez" – A bold Netflix-acquired musical, it once looked like a top contender but faced major backlash over racist tweets from Oscar-nominated star Karla Sofia Gascon. Its 13 nominations show industry support, but winning now seems unlikely.

The genre outliers

1. "The Substance" – Horror rarely wins Best Picture, and its gory youth-serum narrative is divisive. However, Demi Moore’s performance makes it a major player in the acting categories.
    
2. "I’m Still Here" – The Brazilian dictatorship drama landed a shock Best Picture nod alongside Best International Feature. It’s ignited passionate support in Brazil, but can it resonate with global voters?

The Sci-Fi contenders

1. "Dune: Part Two" – A box office juggernaut with stellar reviews, the sci-fi sequel earned just five nominations, with director Denis Villeneuve snubbed. Though it may dominate technical categories, Best Picture seems out of reach.
    
2. "Nickel Boys" – The smallest film on the list ($2.8 million box office), this adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer-winning novel impressed critics with its immersive storytelling. It may not win Best Picture, but it remains a powerful underdog.

Who will win?

With "Anora" and "Conclave" locked in a battle for the top prize, this year's Oscars could go either way. However, late-season surges and unpredictable voter preferences mean that surprises—possibly from "The Brutalist" or "A Complete Unknown"—can’t be ruled out.

The 97th Academy Awards promise a thrilling climax, making this one of the most unpredictable Best Picture races in years.