The 5 Unforgettable Best Actress Nominees Of 2025 And The All-Time Oscar Records That Still Stand

The Academy Award for Best Actress continues to be one of the most scrutinized and passionately debated categories in cinema, celebrating the year's most profound and transformative female performances. As of today, December 18, 2025, the conversation is still buzzing around the surprising, yet critically adored, outcome of the 97th Academy Awards, which crowned a new, young talent while simultaneously cementing the enduring legacy of Hollywood's greatest names. This article dives deep into the latest winners and nominees, providing a fresh perspective on the performances that defined the most recent Oscar season, alongside a look back at the historical milestones that set the bar for acting excellence.

The 2025 ceremony, held earlier this year, delivered a slate of nominees that reflected a shift towards bold, challenging, and unconventional roles. From indie darlings to blockbuster spectacles, the performances showcased the immense range and global reach of contemporary acting. The winner’s circle has always been a place for history-making moments, and the latest result is no exception, adding a powerful new chapter to the category’s storied past.

The 97th Academy Awards: Best Actress Winner and Full Nominee List (2025)

The 97th Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place in early 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, honoring the best in film from the preceding year. The Best Actress category was particularly competitive, featuring a mix of established stars and breakout performances. The ultimate winner was seen by many as a major triumph for independent cinema and a sign of the Academy embracing complex, boundary-pushing roles.

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Winner: Mikey Madison for *Anora*

The Best Actress Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards went to Mikey Madison for her electrifying lead performance in the dark comedy-thriller, Anora. Madison’s win was part of a major sweep for the film, which also took home the coveted Best Picture prize. Her portrayal of a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch was lauded by critics for its raw energy, vulnerability, and sharp comedic timing, marking a significant breakout moment for the 25-year-old star.

The Full List of 2025 Best Actress Nominees

The competition for the gold statue was fierce, with Madison overcoming a highly diverse and talented field of contenders. The full list of nominees for the 97th Academy Awards Best Actress category included:

• Mikey Madison in Anora (Winner)
• Cynthia Erivo in Wicked
• Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez
• Demi Moore in The Substance
• Fernanda Torres in I'm

The nomination of Karla Sofía Gascón for her role in the musical crime comedy Emilia Pérez was particularly noteworthy, as it represented a major step forward for transgender representation in the category, following her historic win at the Cannes Film Festival. Cynthia Erivo’s nod for the blockbuster musical Wicked highlighted the Academy’s recognition of large-scale, vocal performances, while Demi Moore’s nomination for the body horror film The Substance signaled a powerful, career-redefining turn for the veteran actress. Fernanda Torres rounded out the list with a critically acclaimed performance in the Brazilian drama I'm, underscoring the category's international scope.

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The Unbreakable Records: All-Time Best Actress Legends

While the focus is often on the latest ceremony, the history of the Best Actress category is defined by a handful of legendary performers whose records remain untouched, providing a benchmark for cinematic greatness. These milestones showcase not only exceptional talent but also unparalleled longevity and consistency in the demanding world of film.

Katharine Hepburn: The Four-Time Champion

The undisputed record for the most Academy Awards for Best Actress belongs to Katharine Hepburn, who won the award an astonishing four times. Her wins span a remarkable 48-year period, a testament to her enduring appeal and ability to adapt across multiple eras of filmmaking. Her wins were for:

• Morning Glory (1933)
• Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
• The Lion in Winter (1968) (Tied with Barbra Streisand)
• On Golden Pond (1981)

Hepburn’s legacy is often cited as the gold standard for performance, not just for her wins but for her strong, independent persona that often mirrored the characters she played.

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Meryl Streep: The Nomination Queen

When it comes to sheer volume of recognition, no actor, male or female, comes close to Meryl Streep. She holds the record for the most Oscar nominations of any performer, with 21 total nominations. Crucially, 17 of those nominations are in the Best Actress category, a record that highlights her consistent presence at the pinnacle of her craft for decades. While she has three competitive Oscar wins (two for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress), her 17 Best Actress nominations solidify her status as the most frequently honored actress in Academy history. Her Best Actress wins came for Sophie's Choice (1982) and The Iron Lady (2011).

Frances McDormand: The Modern Master

In the modern era, Frances McDormand has established herself as a powerhouse, holding the record for the second-most Best Actress wins with three. Her wins are particularly significant as they reflect a contemporary era of filmmaking, often for roles in smaller, character-driven films:

• Fargo (1996)
• Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
• Nomadland (2020)

McDormand’s ability to completely disappear into complex, often abrasive characters has made her a critical darling and a favorite among her peers, positioning her as the closest living actress to challenge Hepburn’s four-win record.

Historical Firsts and Surprising Facts

The Academy Award for Best Actress category is also rich with fascinating historical footnotes and surprising facts that contribute to its topical authority and intrigue.

The First Winner and Early Rules

The very first winner of the Best Actress award, presented at the 1st Academy Awards in 1929, was Janet Gaynor. Interestingly, Gaynor won for a body of work across three films: 7th Heaven, Street Angel, and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans. This practice of honoring a performer for multiple roles in the qualifying period was quickly abandoned after the third ceremony, making Gaynor’s achievement unique.

The Youngest and Oldest Winners

The youngest person to ever win the Best Actress Oscar is Marlee Matlin, who won at the age of 21 for her debut performance in Children of a Lesser God (1986). This remains a remarkable achievement for a first-time screen actor. Conversely, the oldest winner is Jessica Tandy, who won for Driving Miss Daisy (1989) at the age of 80, proving that career-defining roles can come at any stage of life.

The Tie That Made History

One of the most memorable moments in the category's history was the rare tie at the 41st Academy Awards (1969). Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter and Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl both received the exact same number of votes, sharing the Best Actress Oscar for their respective performances. This event is a rare occurrence and a beloved piece of Oscar lore.

From the groundbreaking performances of Mikey Madison and the diverse 2025 nominees to the untouchable records of Katharine Hepburn and Meryl Streep, the Academy Award for Best Actress remains a vibrant, evolving celebration of female talent in cinema. It is a category where history is made every year, yet the shadows of the legends continue to inspire a new generation of performers.