7 Shocking Changes & Triumphs That Defined The 97th Academy Awards (Oscars 2025)

The Academy Awards, or Oscars, remain the most prestigious and closely watched film event globally, and the 97th ceremony, which concluded earlier this year, proved to be one of the most transformative in recent memory. As of today, December 15, 2025, the film world is still buzzing about the historic wins and the controversial new rules that fundamentally reshape how films qualify and how members vote for the coveted Oscar statuette. From a surprise host to a Best Picture sweep, this is everything you need to know about the latest iteration of Hollywood’s biggest night.

The 97th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on March 2, 2025, at its traditional home, the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The event was highly anticipated, not just for the cinematic achievements it honored, but also for the significant, behind-the-scenes changes implemented by the Academy to address long-standing issues of representation and voter engagement. The results solidified a new era, with an unexpected indie darling dominating the major categories.

The New Era: 97th Academy Awards (Oscars 2025) Key Triumphs and Changes

The 97th Academy Awards will be remembered as the year that a new independent voice broke through the blockbuster dominance, and the Academy finalized a series of long-debated reforms. The entire structure of the awards is shifting, making this a pivotal moment in the history of the Oscars.

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1. Conan O’Brien’s Unexpected Hosting Debut

Breaking away from the recent trend of hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, the 97th ceremony was helmed by late-night comedy legend Conan O’Brien. O'Brien, known for his quick wit and self-deprecating humor, took on the hosting duties for the first time, succeeding Kimmel, who had hosted the 2023 and 2024 Academy Awards. His performance was widely praised for bringing a fresh, unpredictable energy to a show that has often struggled with ratings and tone, injecting a much-needed sense of irreverence into the proceedings.

2. The *Anora* Sweep: A Historic Best Picture Win

The biggest story of the night was the phenomenal success of the film Anora. The dark comedy, directed by Sean Baker, won big, taking home five awards, including the two most prestigious prizes: Best Picture and Best Director. The film’s triumph was significant, as it marked a major victory for independent cinema, further solidifying its status after previously winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes. This win cemented Sean Baker as a major directorial force and signaled a shift in the Academy’s taste toward edgier, character-driven narratives.

3. Mandatory Viewing Rule for All Voters

One of the most drastic and potentially controversial rule changes implemented for the 97th Academy Awards was the requirement that members must have seen all nominated films before casting a final ballot in all competitive categories. Previously, voters could cast ballots in categories for which they had not seen every nominee. The new rule aims to increase the integrity of the voting process, ensuring that the winners are truly selected by voters who have engaged with the full body of work. This change is expected to significantly impact the results in niche categories like the short films and documentary features.

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4. Stricter Theatrical Requirements for Best Picture

The Academy also tightened the theatrical requirements for a film to qualify for the Best Picture category. While the full inclusion standards—the so-called "Representation and Inclusion Standards"—are being phased in, the theatrical run requirements were expanded. This move is a direct response to the rise of streaming platforms, ensuring that the highest honor in cinema still promotes the communal, big-screen experience. The new rules specify a more extensive and longer theatrical run in major markets than was previously required, pushing back against the trend of minimal cinema releases for streaming-first films.

The Road Ahead: Predictions and Lingering Questions for the 98th Oscars

With the 97th Academy Awards now in the rearview mirror, the focus immediately shifts to the next cycle. The implementation of the new rules and the surprise winners of the previous year have created a volatile, unpredictable landscape for the 98th ceremony, which will take place in 2026. The race for the next Best Picture is already beginning to take shape.

5. Early Frontrunners and Performance Buzz

As the current awards season begins, early predictions for the 98th Academy Awards are already circulating, with several films and performances generating significant buzz. Performers like Demi Moore and Mikey Madison are being discussed as major contenders in the acting categories, reflecting strong early festival reviews. Films such as *The Brutalist* and *Conclave* are also being positioned as potential Best Picture nominees, with critics and pundits tracking their performance at early critics’ awards and film festivals. The new emphasis on mandatory viewing may give an edge to films that are universally praised and easier for the entire voting body to access and prioritize.

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6. The Impact of Inclusion Standards

While the full mandatory implementation of the Academy's Representation and Inclusion Standards (RIS) has been a gradual process, the 97th Awards marked a critical period for their enforcement and impact. These standards are designed to encourage diverse representation in front of and behind the camera, as well as in executive leadership and marketing. The submission deadline for the general entry categories, including the Representation and Inclusion Standards forms, was in November 2025 for the 98th ceremony. The industry is closely monitoring how strictly these standards will be applied and whether they will create a tangible shift in the types of films that are ultimately nominated for Best Picture and other top awards.

7. The Ongoing Debate Over Relevance and Viewer Engagement

Despite the changes and the excitement surrounding the Anora win, the Academy continues to grapple with the perennial challenge of maintaining relevance and boosting television viewership. The choice of Conan O’Brien as host was a deliberate attempt to inject popular appeal. The new rules, particularly the mandatory viewing and stricter theatrical requirements, are designed to improve the quality and integrity of the awards, but the long-term effect on viewer engagement remains a topic of intense debate. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, closely associated with the awards, also plays a crucial role in promoting the history and future of cinema, attempting to bridge the gap between Hollywood's legacy and its modern, global audience.

The 97th Academy Awards was a landmark event, not just for the films it celebrated, but for the institutional reforms it enacted. With a new host, a historic Best Picture winner, and fundamental changes to the voting process, the Oscars have signaled a commitment to evolving while holding onto the prestige that makes the golden statuette the ultimate prize in cinema. The industry is now watching closely to see how these new standards shape the contenders for the 98th Academy Awards and beyond.