Oscars 2025: Fascinating facts about this year’s nominees, from presidents to family ties

The Oscars race is coming to an end. The 97th annual edition of the Academy Awards is scheduled to air this Sunday, March 2nd, from The Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California. 

While the Oscars have lost viewership over the years, there's still a group of people who love the event for its history and cultural presence. This year's race has been an interesting one, filled with drama and controversy. Most excitingly, unlike last year's Barbenheimer phenomenon, where two clear behemoths were eclipsing the other nominees, there's a lot of uncertainty this season. 

Here are some of the most fun and interesting bits of trivia about the upcoming Oscars: 

Two musicals are nominated for Best Picture

© Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

This year, "Wicked" and "Emilia Perez" were nominated for best picture. This marks the first time in five decades that two musicals are simultaneously competing for this award. 

The last time this happened was in 1969 when the films "Funny Girl" and "Oliver!" were nominated. The Best Picture trophy was ultimately awarded to "Oliver!" directed by Carol Reed.

The Academy is embracing horror

© MUBI

One of the best parts about this year's Oscar nominations was the love that "The Substance" received. Horror is a category that has been historically maligned by the Academy, even if it's one of the most reliable sources of great performances from actors, particularly women. 

Only six horror films have been nominated for best picture in Oscars history: "The Exorcist," "Get Out," "The Silence of the Lambs," "Jaws," "The Sixth Sense" and "Black Swan." 

When speaking of subgenres, "The Substance" is also the first body horror film to receive a Best Picture nomination. 

Sebastian Stan becomes the eight actor to be nominated for playing a US President

© Courtesy of Apprentice Productions Ontario Inc. / Profile Productions 2 Aps / Tailored Films LTD. 2023

There are a lot of films about US Presidents, but there have only been eight performances that have been recognized by the Academy. 

Sebastian Stan was the most recent addition to the list for his portrayal of Donald Trump in "The Apprentice." Before him, Frank Langella was nominated for his portrayal of Richard Nixon in "Frost/Nixon," while Daniel Day-Lewis and Raymond Massey were nominated for playing Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln" and "Abe Lincoln in Illinois," respectively. 

Sam Rockwell was nominated for playing George W. Bush in "Vice," Alexander Knox for his work as Woodrow Wilson in "Wilson," and James Whitmore for playing Harry Truman in "Give 'em Hell, Harry!" 

Anthony Hopkins is the most interesting addition to this list, being nominated for two separate performances as President. He played Nixon in "Nixon," and John Quincy Adams, in "Amistad." 

Two actresses are carrying their mother's legacies

© Getty Images

The most touching bit of trivia this Oscars season is familial. Fernanda Torres is following in her mother's footsteps as a nominee for best actress. 

In 1998, her mother, Fernanda Montenegro, became the first Latin American actress to be nominated for the best actress category for the film "Central Station." Both women are originally from Brazil and are icons of global cinema. 

Then there's Isabella Rossellini, who earned her first Oscar nomination for her work as Sister Agnes in "Conclave." She's the daughter of Ingrid Bergman, who was nominated for the Oscars on six separate occasions. She won it twice.