An Oscar statue is pictured at the red carpet of the 97th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 28, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

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Oscars 2025 Full Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Zoe Saldaña could win her first Academy Award this Sunday

Senior WriterLos Angeles

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 7:06 PM ESTFEB 28, 2025, 7:06 PM EST

The 97th Academy Awards are on Sunday, March 2, 2025, and it's sure to be an epic day as we celebrate the biggest night in entertainment at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Since its inception in 1929, the Academy Awards have become the pinnacle of cinematic achievement, honoring the best in film. Over the years, the Oscars have evolved from a private dinner event at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to a globally televised powerhouse, and the ceremony now airs live in more than 200 territories worldwide. Tune into HOLA!'s coverage of the Academy Awards on social media and our website for all the biggest moments of the night. Until then, here is everything you need to know about this year's awards.

Walt Disney and Shirley Temple at Oscars — Walt Disney and Shirley Temple at the Oscars 1939

How Can I Watch the Oscars?

The ceremony will air live on ABC at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT, with streaming options on Hulu Live TV, Fubo TV, YouTube TV, and more. The official red carpet show will begin at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.

Who's Hosting the Oscars?

Conan O'Brien at the 96th Academy Awards Red Carpet Roll Out at The Dolby Theatre on February 26, 2025

Conan O'Brien will take on hosting duties for the first time, following Jimmy Kimmel. The Academy stated, "We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year. He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies, and his live TV expertise."

Who Is Presenting at the Oscars?

The presenter lineup includes Dave Bautista, Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Zoe Saldaña, Rachel Zegler, Joe Alwyn, Halle Berry, Sterling K. Brown, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Ana de Armas, Lily-Rose Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Elle Fanning, Whoopi Goldberg, Selena Gomez, Goldie Hawn, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Cillian Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, and Bowen Yang.

Which Films Are Nominated?

The Substance Demi Moore Director - Coralie Fargeat Sept 2024 — The Substance

The Oscar nominees were announced on January 23, 2025, with 10 films competing for Best Picture. Leading the nominations is Emilia Perez, with 13 nods, followed by The Brutalist and Wicked with 10 nominations each.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in "Wicked." — Wicked

Other Best Picture contenders include Anora, A Complete Unknown, Dune: Part 2, Conclave, I'm Still Here, Nickel Boys, Dune: Part Two. See the full list here.

Ralph Fiennes stars in 'Conclave,' one of this year's best picture nominees — Conclave

Who Are the Favorites to Win?

It’s been a chaotic Oscar season with controversy surrounding some nominees, particularly Karla Sofía Gascón from Emilia Perez.

According to Variety, the predicted winners include:

Best Picture: A Complete Unknown

Best Actor: Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice)

Best Actress: Demi Moore (The Substance)

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin

Best Supporting Actress: Isabella Rossellini

See an astrologer's predictions here.

Who is performing?

One of the night's biggest highlights will be a live performance from Wicked featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Both actresses are nominated for their roles—Grande for Best Supporting Actress and Erivo for Best Lead Actress. If Erivo wins, she will achieve EGOT status.

Additionally, Queen Latifah, Doja Cat, LISA from BLACKPINK, and RAYE will also perform.

A Change This Year: No Live Best Original Song Performances

Unlike previous years, Best Original Song nominees won’t have live performances. Instead, the ceremony will showcase behind-the-scenes stories about each song. This year’s nominees include: