The 97th Academy Awards will air on March 2, with the ceremony set to begin at 4:00 PM PT/7:00 PM ET on ABC and Hulu. The night holds the potential for records to be set, surprises in major categories, and international recognition for films that have gained momentum throughout the season.
Best Picture Contenders
Anora could become the third film in history to win both the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Picture, a feat previously achieved by Parasite and Marty. Emilia Perez, which has earned 13 nominations, enters the night among a select group of films that have reached that number.
Of the previous 12 films with 13 nominations, only three failed to win Best Picture. If Conclave wins, it will be one of the few films to take the top prize without its director receiving a nomination, a distinction shared by Wings, Grand Hotel, Driving Miss Daisy, Argo, Green Book, and CODA.
Best Actor Race
Adrien Brody, considered the frontrunner for The Brutalist, faces strong competition from A Complete Unknown’s Timothée Chalamet. If Chalamet wins, he will break Brody’s record as the youngest winner in the category, a title Brody has held since his win for The Pianist in 2003. An AI-generated prediction has even suggested an unexpected on-stage moment between the two.
Donald Trump’s Possible Reaction
Sebastian Stan, nominated for his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice, could spark a response from Trump if he wins. Last year, Trump posted a reaction to Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscars monologue on Truth Social, and a similar moment could unfold if The Apprentice is recognized.
Best Supporting Actor Showdown
Yura Borisov of Anora could become the first Russian actor to win an Oscar since Lila Kedrova in 1965. Jeremy Strong, nominated for The Apprentice, is looking to upset Kieran Culkin, who previously bested him at the Emmys for Succession.
Diane Warren’s Ongoing Oscar Journey
Warren, now on her 16th nomination, remains in search of her first competitive win. Her latest nomination comes for The Journey, performed by H.E.R. for The Six Triple Eight. While Warren received an Honorary Oscar in 2022, she has yet to take home a trophy in competition.
Cynthia Erivo’s EGOT Opportunity
If Erivo wins Best Actress for Wicked, she will complete the EGOT, having previously won a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy for The Color Purple.
Family Ties in the Supporting Actress Category
Isabella Rossellini’s nomination for Conclave places her alongside a rare group of mother-daughter duos recognized by the Academy. Her mother, Ingrid Bergman, won three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Murder on the Orient Express.
Brazil’s Big Oscar Moment
Brazil, which has never won in the Best International Feature Film category, has a strong contender with I’m Still Here. The film’s star, Fernanda Torres, follows in the footsteps of her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who was previously nominated. The event will be projected in the streets of Brazil, coinciding with Carnival celebrations.
Sequels in Contention
Janty Yates, who won for Gladiator in 2000, is once again nominated in Best Costume Design for Gladiator II. Greig Fraser, who won Best Cinematography for Dune: Part One, is looking for back-to-back wins with Dune: Part Two.
A First for Latvia
Latvia, earning its first nomination for Best International Feature Film with Flow, is also represented in Best Animated Feature. The film competes against industry giants like Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and Universal’s The Wild Robot.
A Nominee’s Journey from Prison to the Oscars
Clarence Maclin, nominated in Best Adapted Screenplay for Sing Sing, once served 17 years in prison for robbery. His real-life experiences informed his role in the film, where he plays himself.
