The 2025 Oscars were a night to remember, filled with spectacular performances, heartfelt speeches, and unexpected twists. From a dazzling opening tribute to “Wicked” to a night of historic wins and streaming mishaps, here’s a look at the best and worst moments of Hollywood’s biggest night.
A Spellbinding Start: ‘Wicked’ Tribute
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo set the stage on fire with a stunning musical opener. They paid homage to Hollywood’s past versions of Oz before launching into “Defying Gravity,” the signature song from Wicked, the film that brought them both nominations. Grande dazzled in a ruby-red gown, nodding to Judy Garland’s Dorothy, while Erivo’s powerhouse vocals left the audience in awe. The tribute to Quincy Jones later in the night, featuring Queen Latifah’s energetic performance of “Ease on Down the Road,” made the musical theme even more special.
Sean Baker’s Unstoppable Night
Sean Baker, a filmmaker who had long been on the fringes of Academy recognition, dominated the night with Anora. His indie drama earned him four Oscars—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay—tying Walt Disney’s long-standing record. Baker’s unique storytelling and bold filmmaking finally found their moment in the mainstream spotlight.
Conan O’Brien’s Comedic Brilliance
Hosting for the first time, Conan O’Brien delivered a pitch-perfect mix of satire and sincerity. From a hilarious parody of The Substance to a heartfelt acknowledgment of cinema’s power, he struck the right balance. His playful jab at Dune’s sandworm earning its “residuals” had the crowd laughing, while his speech about the importance of artisans in filmmaking was a poignant reminder of the craft behind the magic. He even managed to sneak in a subtle political joke, referencing Anora’s plot: “I guess Americans are excited to see someone finally stand up to a powerful Russian.”
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Kieran Culkin’s Unfiltered Charm
Kieran Culkin continued his streak of unpredictably charming acceptance speeches, this time for A Real Pain. While much of his speech was bleeped on live TV, his humorous sign-off—announcing that his wife, Jazz Charton, had now promised two more kids if he won—kept the audience entertained.
The Night’s Biggest Shock: Mikey Madison’s Win
Mikey Madison’s win for Best Actress in Anora came as a surprise, given the strong expectation that Demi Moore would take the award for The Substance. Even Madison seemed stunned, covering her mouth in disbelief before delivering an emotional speech about the surreal nature of the moment.
Streaming Fail: Hulu’s Mistimed Cutoff
Hulu’s live feed disaster left audiences furious. Just before the announcement of the Best Actress category, the stream cut out, displaying a message that read: “Thank you for watching! This live event has now ended.” Frustrated fans scrambled to find clips online, further fueling the ongoing debate over streaming’s reliability.
Missing Film Clips for Supporting Actors
One of the night’s biggest disappointments was the Academy’s decision to skip showing clips of nominees’ performances in the supporting acting categories. Instead, last year’s winners, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Robert Downey Jr., described the performances—a move that left many viewers feeling disconnected. While O’Brien’s musical skit featuring Deadpool and a Dune sandworm was fun, fans would have much preferred to see actual acting clips.
The Most Political Moment of the Night
The acceptance speech for Best Documentary Feature, No Other Land, did not shy away from controversy. Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham used their moment on stage to condemn “the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people” and the destruction in Gaza. Their words sparked intense debate, with supporters applauding their courage and critics questioning the political nature of the speech.
Adrien Brody’s Bold Move
The orchestra was tasked with keeping acceptance speeches tight, but Adrien Brody wasn’t having it. Winning Best Actor for The Brutalist, he politely but firmly asked for the music to stop, and to the audience’s delight, it did. His speech, touching on resilience and art’s ability to heal, was one of the most moving of the night.
Animation’s Global Takeover
The animation categories showcased international talent in a big way. Latvia’s Flow, a stunning dialogue-free feature, beat major Hollywood contenders, marking the nation’s first Oscar win. In the animated short category, Iran’s In the Shadow of the Cypress took home the award, with its directors barely making it to the ceremony after securing last-minute visas. Their emotional victory was a testament to storytelling’s power to transcend borders.
A Fresh Take on Costume Design Recognition
The Oscars added a personal touch to the Best Costume Design category, with actors personally addressing the designers who dressed them on set. The moment was both heartwarming and historic, as Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win the award.
Zoe Saldaña’s Emotional Tribute
One of the night’s most touching speeches came from Zoe Saldaña. She dedicated her win to her mother and family, calling herself “a proud child of immigrant parents.” Her heartfelt words resonated deeply, especially her mention of how honored her late grandmother would have been to see her accept an award for a role where she spoke and sang in Spanish.
James Bond Tribute: Celebration or Farewell?
A flashy James Bond tribute honored longtime franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, but given that they recently sold their stake to Amazon, it felt more like a farewell than a celebration. With Amazon likely to take the franchise in a new direction, many wondered if this was Hollywood’s way of saying goodbye to the classic Bond era.
The Push to Keep Movies in Theaters
Both Conan O’Brien and Sean Baker made passionate pleas for the survival of movie theaters. O’Brien’s comedic fake ad for a fictional service called CinemaStreams poked fun at the experience of watching films on tiny screens, while Baker took a more serious approach, reminding the audience that nearly 1,000 theaters had closed since the pandemic. His words served as a rallying cry for filmmakers to keep the big-screen experience alive.
A Major ‘In Memoriam’ Snub
While the Oscars’ In Memoriam segment honored Hollywood legends like Gene Hackman and Maggie Smith, it failed to acknowledge Michelle Trachtenberg’s passing just a day before the ceremony. Best known for Harriet the Spy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Trachtenberg’s absence from the tribute upset many fans, especially millennials who grew up watching her on screen.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Oscars delivered a mix of unforgettable highs and frustrating lows. Sean Baker’s Anora cemented its place in history, Conan O’Brien proved to be a perfect host for the times, and a strong push was made for preserving theatrical experiences. However, Hulu’s botched streaming, missing nominee clips, and an emotionally charged political moment ensured that the night wasn’t without its share of controversy.
