Oscars 2025: Best Picture Nominees Unveiled – What Do Experts Really Think?

The 97th Academy Awards, also known as Oscars 2025, are just around the corner, set to air live on March 2, 2025, and the official Best Picture nominees list from @TheAcademy has ignited a firestorm of excitement and debate. From gritty indies to blockbuster spectacles, this year’s lineup—featuring Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked—offers a diverse cinematic buffet.

But what do online film pundits and trade publications make of these choices? We’ve scoured the web, posts on X, and reputable sources to bring you the sizzling takes on each nominee. Buckle up for a deep dive into the Oscars 2025 Best Picture race!

What Makes Anora a Top Contender for Best Picture?

Sean Baker’s Anora has stormed the awards season, clinching the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2024 and racking up precursor nods from the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and more. IndieWire hails it as a frontrunner, with its late surge at the PGAs and DGAs signaling strong Academy support. Pundits on X are buzzing about Mikey Madison’s raw performance, though Variety warns its screenplay loss at major precursors could jeopardize its Best Picture bid unless Madison snags Best Actress. The Hollywood Reporter predicts it might snag five wins, cementing its status as a gritty, unpredictable favorite.

Why Is The Brutalist Stirring Up Oscar Buzz?

Brady Corbet’s 215-minute epic The Brutalist has pundits raving over Adrien Brody’s towering performance as a Holocaust-surviving architect. The Guardian calls it “brilliant, broken, and immense,” while Variety praises its monumental scope on a modest budget. Trade pubs like The Hollywood Reporter see it tying with Emilia Pérez for three potential wins, but some X users question its lengthy runtime alienating voters. Still, its 10 nominations and Golden Globe drama win make it a heavyweight contender.

How Does A Complete Unknown Fit Into the Oscars Race?

Timothée Chalamet’s Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown nabbed eight nominations, and Variety notes its late climb in prediction charts after a National Board of Review win. Pundits adore Chalamet’s transformation, with The New York Times calling it “vivid,” yet some on X feel it’s overshadowed by flashier musicals like Wicked. Trade outlets like ScreenRant predict it could snag a few technical wins, but its Best Picture chances hinge on Chalamet’s Best Actor momentum.

Can Conclave Pull Off a Best Picture Upset?

Edward Berger’s Vatican thriller Conclave has pundits split. With eight nominations and a BAFTA Best Picture win, Variety suggests it could mirror Argo’s triumph despite missing a Best Director nod. The Guardian praises Ralph Fiennes’ subtle power, but IndieWire notes its “middlebrow appeal” might not dazzle younger voters. X posts highlight its SAG ensemble win as a game-changer, positioning it as a dark horse with old-school Oscar vibes.

Is Dune: Part Two Too Big to Ignore for Best Picture?

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two brings sci-fi grandeur with five nominations, and The Hollywood Reporter predicts wins in sound and VFX. Pundits like IndieWire lament its solemn tone, with some Oscar voters reportedly skipping it due to Part One fatigue. Still, Variety sees its technical prowess and box-office heft giving it a shot, though X chatter suggests it’s more likely to dominate crafts than clinch the top prize.

What’s the Controversy Surrounding Emilia Pérez’s Nomination?

Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez leads with a record-breaking 13 nods for a non-English-language film, but its Best Picture hopes have cratered. Variety reports a backlash over Karla Sofía Gascón’s resurfaced tweets, tanking its once-soaring campaign. NPR and The Guardian laud its genre-blending audacity, yet X users and BBC critics fear it could join The Color Purple as a heavily nominated shutout. Zoe Saldaña’s supporting actress buzz keeps it alive, but the shine has faded.

Why Does I’m Still Here Resonate with Oscar Voters?

The Brazilian drama I’m Still Here scored a rare Best Picture nod alongside Fernanda Torres’ historic Best Actress nomination. Variety calls it a sleeper hit, with pundits praising its emotional depth. X posts celebrate Torres’ Golden Globe upset, though some trade pubs like ScreenRant doubt its broad appeal against flashier rivals. Its inclusion signals the Academy’s growing global lens, thrilling international film fans.

How Did Nickel Boys Sneak Into the Best Picture Lineup?

RaMell Ross’ Nickel Boys quietly nabbed a spot, with The New York Times noting its visionary adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s novel. Pundits on X applaud its cinematography, but BBC’s Caryn James warns its muted awards buzz outside critics’ circles could limit its haul. With five nominations, it’s a critical darling that might struggle to convert admiration into gold, per Variety’s analysis.

Does The Substance Redefine Oscar-Worthy Films?

Coralie Fargeat’s body-horror satire The Substance shocked with five nominations, including Demi Moore’s first-ever nod. IndieWire dubs it an “ecstatically demented fairy tale,” while The Hollywood Reporter predicts a makeup win. X users are obsessed with its campy gore, though some pundits question if its genre roots will scare off traditional voters. It’s a bold wildcard redefining “Oscar bait.”

Will Wicked Sing Its Way to Best Picture Glory?

Jon M. Chu’s Wicked dazzled with 10 nominations, including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s acting nods. CNN highlights its blockbuster appeal, a rare feat for musicals since 1968’s Oliver! and Funny Girl. Pundits like EW see it climbing after an NBR win, but IndieWire critiques its “cheesy production values.” X fans adore its spectacle, making it a populist pick with EGOT potential for Erivo.

Some Closing Thoughts: And the Oscar Goes To…?

The Oscars 2025 Best Picture race is a rollercoaster of surprises, from Anora’s indie grit to Wicked’s emerald gleam. Pundits and trade pubs agree it’s anyone’s game, with Conclave and Anora neck-and-neck, while Emilia Pérez’s stumble opens the door for upsets. As the March 2 ceremony looms, the chatter on X and beyond proves this year’s nominees are as polarizing as they are captivating.

Which film will claim the golden statuette? Tune in to find out—and let us know your pick in the comments!

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