97th Academy Awards: The Best Moments From The 2025 Oscars

Oscars 2025, which took place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, US, has finally ended, but several memorable moments remain the key highlights of the night, which was hosted by Conan O'Brien. From the musical performances, emotional speeches, to a traditional in memoriam segment, here are the some of the big moments that you may have missed from the 97th Academy Awards.

Independent film Anora bagged the top honours at 2025 Oscars. It took home five Oscars- best director, best original screenplay, best editing, best actress, and best actress.

Adrien Brody won best actor for his role in The Brutalist, while awards in the best supporting categories went to Emilia Pérez actress Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain.

The show also honoured the city of Los Angeles that was devastated due to the wildfires, by bringing firefighters onto the Oscars stage and hosting a charitable component to raise funds for fire victims. The wildfires caused severe damage to thousands of homes with several deaths.

Best Moments And Key Highlights Of Oscars 2025

Musical tributes at 2025 Oscars

The 97th edition of the Academy Awards opened with a musical number as a tribute to The Wizard of Oz and an heartfelt message for the city of Los Angeles.

Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed a medley of Oz-ian tunes, as Grande sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Erivo crooned Home, the song from 1974라이브 바카라 Oz-set musical The Wiz. Then there was the song, Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer, who died at the age of 91 in November 2024, was also honoured with a moving tribute by Queen Latifah.

Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg paid a homage to their Color Purple producer, followed by the musical tribute by Latifah. She sang Ease on Down the Road from The Wiz.

Among the musical performances, there was also a medley by the pop stars which was dedicated to the music of James Bond.

The medley was performed by Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye, with a preamble by Margaret Qualley in the form of a dance to the movie라이브 바카라 theme. Lisa showed off her dance moves as she sang a snippet of Live and Let Die, while Doja crooned Diamonds are Forever, originally sung by Shirley Bassey, and Raye sang Skyfall.

No Other Land filmmakers best acceptance speech

No Other Land, the Israeli-Palestinian documentary, won an Oscar for the Best Documentary Feature. Directors Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Hamdan Ballal's powerful acceptance speech was the major highlight of this year's Academy Awards.

They called for rights for Palestinians and also criticised the American foreign policy.

The directors totally utilised Oscar stage to speak about the Israeli-Gaza war, requesting a “political solution” to the current situation. 

Adra, a Palestinian journalist and activist, hoped that “serious actions” are taken “to stop the injustice and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.” He said, “About two months ago, I became a father, and I hope for my daughter that she will not have to live the same life I am living now. No Other Land reflects the harsh reality that we have been enduring for decades and still resist.”

Abraham, an Israeli journalist, revealed that the aim of their film was to put an end to the sufferings of both Israelis and Palestinians. “We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together, our voices are stronger. We see each other, the destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end, the Israeli hostages brutally taken in the crime of Oct. 7, which must be freed,'' he said.

He even highlighted the “inequal lives” led by him and Adra as he said, “We live in a regime where I am free under civilian law and Basel is under military laws that destroy his life and he cannot control. There is a different path, a political solution without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both of our people.”

“Why can't you see that we are intertwined, that my people can be truly safe if Basel's people are truly free and safe?” asked Abraham, while concluding his speech.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reunion

When Harry Met Sally (1989) stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reunited to present the Best Picture award to Anora. It was one of the biggest surprise reunions at the Oscars.

Both walked out on the stage to their popular song It Had to Be You from their film.

Crystal teased, "It's great to be back, because, you know, I used to work here," to which Ryan, replied, "You did? When was the first time?"

The comedian said, "Nine tuxedos ago," and added, "Actually, my first time hosting it was 35 years ago this month. Yeah, I know it's weird. It's weird because on my IMDb page, I'm 47."

Ryan said, “Let라이브 바카라 cut to the chase,” which suggested that they should announce with the Best Picture winner.

“Because when you have a chance to be an Oscar winner for the rest of your life, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible,'' Crystal added as she tweaked a popular line from the rom-com which was, “I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Anora scores big with five-trophy haul

Anora grabbed the limelight at Oscars 2025, as it was surprising for a low-budget independent film to bag the statuettes in top categories.

The romantic comedy-drama clinched five Oscars, with Sean Baker scripting history by becoming the first person ever to win four awards- best director, original screenplay, editing and picture- in one night for the same movie.

During his acceptance speech, Baker said, “I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” and added, “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists.”

He also emphasised on valuing communal theater.

Mikey Madison, accepted the Best Actress award with an emotional speech, by calling it ''surreal''. I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today is really incredible,'' she said.

She also honoured the sex worker community, saying "I just want to recognise and honor the sex worker community. Yes. I will continue to support and be an ally. All of the incredible people, the women that I’ve had the privilege of meeting from that community, have been one of the highlights of this incredible experience." 

Diversity shines at Oscars 2025

The 97th Academy Awards honoured diversity. Paul Tazewell, became the first African American man to win the Best Costume Design award, for Wicked.

Emotional Tazewell, while accepting the award said, “This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honour'' and added, “I’m the first Black man to receive the Costume Design award for my work on Wicked. I’m so proud of this.”

Zoe Saldana became the first American of Dominican descent to bag the prestigious Oscar in Best Supporting Actress category, for her role in Emilia Pérez.

She was moved to tears as she accepted the trophy and said, “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hardworking hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award,” she said.

The actress further added, “I know I will not be the last. I hope the fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted.”

No Other Land, a film by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, took the prestigious award for best documentary film.

Walter Salles' I'm Still Here scripted history by becoming the first film from Brazil to win in the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.

Morgan Freeman's tribute to Gene Hackman in memoriam segment

Oscars 2025 honoured Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman, who was recently found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and one of their dogs in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Hackman's co-star and friend Morgan Freeman paid a moving tribute to the late actor before the Oscars' in memoriam segment.

Freeman said, "This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend, Gene Hackman.''

"Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him," Freeman said, "I learned he was a generous performer whose gifts elevated everyone's work,'' he added.

Recalling a quote from Hackman, Freeman said, "I don't think about legacy, I just hope people remembered me as someone who tried to do good work."

He concluded his tribute saying, "Gene, you'll be remembered for that and so much more. Rest in peace my friend."

Hackman and Freeman worked together on Clint Eastwood's 1992 film Unforgiven and Stephen Hopkins' Under Suspicion (2000).

The 2025 Oscars was aired live on ABC and Hulu. In India, the 97th Academy Awards was live-streamed on JioHotstar.