As the dust settles on the 2024 Academy Awards, industry insiders and film enthusiasts are already looking ahead to the 2025 Oscars. With the 97th Academy Awards ceremony scheduled for March 2, 2025, speculation is mounting about potential contenders in various categories, including Best Adapted Screenplay.
The landscape for adapted screenplays in 2025 appears to be a mix of high-profile sequels and literary adaptations. Despite the Writing branch’s historical hesitation to nominate sequels, several follow-ups to beloved films are generating early buzz.
“Inside Out 2,” the sequel to Pixar’s 2016 Oscar-winning animated feature, is considered a strong contender despite mixed critical reception. Its box office success and the original’s nomination history bolster its chances. Similarly, “Dune: Part Two,” which has outperformed its predecessor both critically and commercially, is likely to earn consideration for Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, who were previously nominated for the first installment.
Other sequels in the conversation include “Gladiator II” and “Joker: Folie à Deux,” both following in the footsteps of their Oscar-nominated predecessors. However, the underwhelming performance of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” serves as a reminder that box office success can significantly impact a film’s awards prospects.
Interestingly, two films that premiered alongside the eventual 2024 winner “American Fiction” at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival are now positioned as potential frontrunners. “Hit Man” and “Sing Sing” have demonstrated their ability to maintain momentum through extended awards conversations, balancing humor and heart in their adaptations of real-life events.
Literary adaptations continue to be a fertile ground for Oscar-worthy screenplays. Films based on recent novels, such as “The Nickel Boys” and “Nightbitch,” are already generating interest. However, recent trends suggest that adaptations of lesser-known works might have an advantage, as evidenced by the success of films like “Jojo Rabbit” and “Women Talking.”
As the year progresses and more films are screened, the race for Best Adapted Screenplay is sure to evolve. With a mix of sequels, literary adaptations, and real-life inspired stories in contention, the 2025 Oscar race promises to be an exciting and diverse competition.
