The 97th Academy Awards are almost upon us – here’s our guide to tuning in at home on Sunday and who we reckon will win the top prizes

*  — here’s the 



Photograph: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Oscars 2025: how to watch, nominations, predictions, and timetable
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TThere’s a febrile atmosphere to the Oscars this year, caused largely by events outside Hollywood’s control. The advent of Trump and the consequent assault on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (for which the film industry has been a rather visible target), the widespread devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires, and , mean that minds are inevitably wandering elsewhere. Like last year, too, strife over Israel/Gaza is hovering in the background. Inside the industry, things aren’t so rosy either: the row over Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón’s grotesque social media posts has dominated the awards campaign, while many Hollywooders may be silently quivering at the prospect of AI taking their jobs.

As for the Oscars themselves, in-the-know types are saying . First it seemed like The Brutalist would win, then Anora came roaring through, and now there’s a possibility that Conclave might snatch it. This is assuming, of course, that Emilia Pérez has successfully shot itself in the foot; , what are the odds it will beat the record of 11, held by The Turning Point (in 1978) and The Color Purple (in 1986), and not win a single one?

Well, it doesn’t look like a complete wipeout for Emilia Pérez (see below); but its crisis is another film’s opportunity (and, to the outsider, Conclave and Anora look to be the main beneficiaries). As to the ceremony itself, we get Conan O’Brien as host (which might mean a return to the more waspish tone of yesteryear), and a bit of a kerfuffle over the song nominations; they won’t get performed this year, but there will be a Wicked medley, tributes to Quincy Jones and James Bond, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Blackpink’s Lisa. Sounds like that’s covering a lot of bases.

How to watch
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**In the US**: The E! channel gets things under way with Countdown to the Red Carpet at 14:00 PT/17:00 ET. ABC starts its coverage with The  Red Carpet Show at 15:30 PT/18:30 ET, before the ceremony begins at 16:00 PT/19:00 ET.

**In the UK**: ITV has the rights again this year, with Oscars Live starting on ITV1 and streaming platform ITVX at 22:30 GMT.

**In Australia**: 7Bravo is carrying E!’s red carpet coverage from 08:00 AEDT on Monday. Channel 7 is picking up Red Carpet Live at 09:30 AEDT, with the ceremony show getting under way at 10:00 AEDT.

Preparation
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There’s a lot to read about the Oscars. Here are the most important.

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Plus interviews with key players: , , , , , , ,  and .

Predictions
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Some of these have been dead certs for weeks; others less so. Everyone’s had their say, including , and a whole bunch of , so here’s a last call.

**Best picture** The Brutalist  
**Best actor** Adrien Brody, The Brutalist  
**Best actress** Demi Moore, The Substance  
**Best supporting actor** Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain  
**Best supporting actress** Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez  
**Best director** Brady Corbet, The Brutalist  
**Best song** Mi Camino, Emilia Pérez  
**Best adapted screenplay** Conclave  
**Best original screenplay** Anora  
**Best documentary** No Other Land  
**Best animated film** The Wild Robot  
**Best international film** Emilia Pérez

And finally …
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Our bespoke guides to the big categories: , ,  and 

**Read more about the 2025 Oscars:**

*  takes home best picture Oscar
*  and  win best acting prizes
*  and  win supporting awards
* Anora’s Sean Baker wins for , editing and 
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