The 97th Academy Awards, held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, delivered a night of triumphs, surprises, and notable outcomes for Australian pop culture enthusiasts and bettors alike. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the ceremony celebrated the best in film from the past year.
Oscars Nominations 2025: The Contenders
The nominations for the 2025 Oscars showcased a diverse array of films, blending prestige dramas, indie favorites, and mainstream hits. Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez, a cartel musical, led with 13 nominations, followed by Brady Corbet's epic drama The Brutalist and the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, each with 10 nominations. James Mangold's Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and the thriller Conclave also garnered multiple nominations.
Oscar Predictions 2025: Odds Before the Big Night
In the weeks leading up to the Oscars, betting markets buzzed with speculation. Could Anora's critical acclaim translate into wins? Would Mikey Madison upset the seasoned Demi Moore?
Best Picture: Anora (-200) vs. Conclave (+225)
Best Actress: Madison's performance narrowed her odds to +200, trailing favorite Moore (-275).
Best Actor: Adrien Brody emerged as the solid favorite (-275) against Timothée Chalamet and other nominees.
In Australia, platforms like Sportsbet and Ladbrokes reported record Oscar-related wagers, with bets extending to quirky markets like "Best Red Carpet Moment."
Oscar Winners 2025: Unforgettable Moments
When host Conan O'Brien announced Best Picture, it was no surprise to hear Anora's name. Still, the evening included emotional speeches and memorable highlights.
Anora Triumphs
Anora swept the major awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director for Sean Baker, Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Madison's heartfelt acceptance speech, dedicating her win to women overcoming stereotypes, quickly went viral. Baker praised the complex characters who inspired his story.
Adrien Brody's Second Win
Adrien Brody secured his second Oscar, winning Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. Brody humorously remarked on his journey since his first Oscar win for The Pianist in 2003, earning appreciative laughter from the audience.
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña: Celebrated Victories
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for his powerful performance in A Real Pain, humorously referencing his Succession character. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, thanking her community for continued support in her emotional acceptance speech.
No Other Land: Documentary Triumph
No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature, with directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham using their speech to advocate for peace and awareness.
Aussie Celebrations and Betting Wins
Although no Australians took home Oscars, Margot Robbie, as a presenter, drew cheers for her stunning red carpet appearance. Aussie punters enjoyed lucrative returns, particularly those who backed Anora early or took a chance on Madison at +200 odds. A Melbourne bettor humorously tweeted, "Forget horse racing—Oscar night pays better."
Final Odds: Lessons from Oscars 2025
Oscars 2025 showed even predictable events have surprises. Betting on Oscars favorites and underdogs alike provides excitement and unexpected rewards, cementing the event as a thrilling gamble each year. As Hollywood prepares for 2026, Aussie fans (and gamblers) know the Oscars remain the ultimate high-stakes entertainment.
