Top 2025 Oscar Highlights: Memorable Speeches & Performances Reviewed

Highlights from teh 2025 Academy Awards: Unexpected wins, Emotional Moments, and a Nod to Theatrical Experiences

The 2025 Academy Awards delivered a night of surprises, heartfelt speeches, and memorable performances, celebrating the best in film while also acknowledging the evolving landscape of the industry.From show-stopping musical numbers to impassioned pleas for preserving the theatrical experience, the ceremony was a mix of tradition and modernity.

A ‘Wicked’ Opening That Defied Expectations

The show began with a gravity-defying performance that paid homage to classic and contemporary musicals alike. Ariana Grande, in a sparkling red gown reminiscent of Judy Garland, started with “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.” She then ceded the stage to Cynthia erivo, who performed “Home,” Dorothy’s ballad from “The Wiz,” famously sung onscreen by Diana Ross. The duo concluded with “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked,” with Erivo delivering a “shiver-inducing war cry.” The performance set a high bar for the evening, blending nostalgia with contemporary talent.

Conan O’brien: The Host the Oscars Needed

Conan O’Brien brought his signature wit and irreverence to the hosting gig, balancing humor with genuine thankfulness for the art of filmmaking. from a filmed opening spoofing “the Substance” to his monologue, O’Brien navigated the evening with a “joyful glint.” He took time to highlight notable victors, like “flow,” the first Latvian Oscar winner, joking, “Your move, Estonia.”

O’Brien also delivered an impassioned monologue about recognizing the artisans who contribute to the craft of filmmaking: “a craft that can, in moments, bring us all a little closer together.” He acknowledged the importance of communal effort and institutions, suggesting that “through trauma and joy, this seemingly absurd ritual” – the Oscars – “is going to be here.” Even his political commentary maintained a balance, as seen in a veiled rejoinder to the Trump management referencing the movie “anora”: “I guess Americans are excited to see someone finally stand up to a powerful Russian.”

Kieran Culkin’s On-Brand Acceptance Speech

Kieran Culkin continued his awards season streak with another memorable acceptance speech. Accepting his award for best supporting actor, Culkin delivered a “rambling but charming stream of consciousness” that included kind words for his former “Succession” co-star Jeremy Strong. Much of the first 30 seconds of his speech was bleeped out. he ended his speech by announcing that his wife, jazz Charton, had promised that they could have two more kids if he took home an Oscar: “Let’s get cracking on those kids.”

Mikey Madison’s Surprise Best Actress Win

Mikey Madison’s win for best actress in “Anora” was one of the biggest surprises of the night.While the film was clearly favored by the Academy, many expected Demi Moore to win for her role in “the Substance.” When Emma Stone read Madison’s name, it was met with gasps. The camera caught Madison “clasping her hands to her mouth, her eyelids fluttering.”

In her acceptance speech, Madison called the moment “very surreal,” adding, “this is a dream come true.I’m probably going to wake up tommorow.” The win underscored the Academy’s willingness to reward emerging talent and unconventional narratives.

Preserving the Theatrical experience

Throughout the evening, there were passionate pleas to keep the theatrical moviegoing experience alive. conan O’Brien presented a fake commercial for “CinemaStreams,” playfully highlighting the unique appeal of movie theaters—”a screen that’s basically 800 iPhones all glued together.” Martin Scorsese made a brief cameo endorsing the concept.

Sean Baker,upon winning the Oscar for directing,turned his speech into a “battle cry” for movie theaters. He highlighted the struggles faced by theaters, noting that the U.S. lost nearly 1,000 screens during the pandemic. “Filmmakers keep making films for the big screen,” he said passionately.”I know I will.”

Hulu’s Streaming Woes

In a night filled with streaming issues, the Hulu live feed cut out just before the award for best actress was announced. A message appeared onscreen saying, “Thank you for watching! This live event has now ended. You may exit playback and select something else to watch.” This followed earlier incidents reported by subscribers, leading Hulu to announce that it was “investigating this with.”

The Bond Franchise: A Funeral Wake?

The Oscars featured a James Bond theme medley. “Every generation has their bond,” said Halle Berry, the “Bond girl” from “Die Another Day” (2002), in her introduction. “The world evolves, and so does he.” But the scarcity of the franchise may soon be a thing of the past, especially as Broccoli and Wilson recently “sold their inheritance” to Amazon.In that light, the Oscars’ gaudy Bond theme medley felt “more like a confused funeral wake.”

Conclusion

The 2025 Academy Awards showcased a blend of tradition and change, celebrating the best in film while also acknowledging the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. From surprising wins and heartfelt speeches to impassioned pleas for preserving the theatrical experience, the ceremony offered a snapshot of a dynamic and evolving art form. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to support both established institutions and emerging talents to ensure the future of filmmaking remains vibrant and diverse. Engage with the winning films and performances, and continue to champion the shared experience of watching movies on the big screen.

What films do you predict will be nominated next year and why?

Reflecting on the 2025 Academy Awards: Wins, Speeches, and Theatrical Future

The 2025 Academy Awards proved to be a night of surprises and emotional moments. To delve deeper into the key takeaways, we spoke wiht renowned film critic Anya Sharma, Senior Contributor at “CinemaScope” magazine.

An Interview with Anya Sharma on the 2025 Oscars

Archyde: Anya, thanks for joining us. The 2025 Oscars seemed to buck many predictions. What was your biggest surprise of the night?

Anya Sharma: Absolutely! The biggest shock, by far, was Mikey MadisonS Best Actress win for “Anora.” While the film itself had buzz, almost everyone had Demi Moore pegged for the win. It speaks volumes about the Academy’s evolving taste and willingness to champion fresh talent and innovative storytelling.It really highlighted the best in film from the year.

the Conan O’Brien Effect and the Importance of Theatrical Experiences

Archyde: many are praising Conan O’Brien’s hosting. Did he strike the right balance between humor and reverence for the art of filmmaking?

Anya Sharma: Conan was a masterstroke. He brought that much-needed wit and self-awareness, poking fun at the absurdity of it all while still acknowledging the profound impact film can have. His monologue about the artisans behind the camera was particularly poignant. And let’s not forget his digs at the Trump management, referencing the movie “anora.”

Archyde: The future of movie theaters was a recurring theme. Sean Baker’s speech was a real call to action. Do you think the Academy is genuinely concerned about preserving the theatrical experience?

Anya Sharma: I think there’s a growing awareness, yes. Sean Baker’s passionate plea was incredibly moving. The industry knows that big-screen releases are vital for long-term sustainability and cultural impact. The mock commercial featuring Martin Scorsese was a great way to showcase the unique magic of movie theaters in a light-hearted way, and the overall tone of the awards implied a “nod to theatrical experiences.”

Kieran Culkin’s Hilarious Speech and Hulu’s Streaming Snafu

Archyde: Kieran Culkin’s acceptance speech was,shall we say,memorable. What did you make of it?

anya Sharma: (Laughs) Classic kieran! Endearing chaos. It was completely on-brand – unpredictable. He gave “Succession” fans what they wanted from what some considered a “rambling but charming stream of consciousness.”

Archyde: Hulu’s streaming outage during the Best Actress declaration was a major gaffe. How damaging is that kind of technical problem in the age of streaming?

Anya Sharma: It’s a bad look, no question. You had viewers tuned in specifically for that moment, and to have it cut out like that is incredibly frustrating. It fuels the ongoing debate about the reliability of streaming services for live events and the digital landscape for the best in film in general.

James bond’s Uncertain Future and the Academy’s Evolving Tastes

Archyde: The James Bond segment felt a bit… strange, given the franchise’s uncertain future under Amazon.Was it a fitting tribute, in your opinion?

Anya Sharma: It felt a little out of sync, I agree. With the sale to Amazon, the future of Bond is definitely in flux. The medley seemed more about acknowledging its history than celebrating its present or future, perhaps even “like a confused funeral wake,” as it’s been called.

Archyde: what’s your biggest takeaway from the 2025 Academy Awards? What direction do you see the Academy heading?

Anya Sharma: I think the Academy is trying to strike a balance. They’re recognizing the importance of streaming and diverse voices,as evidenced by Mikey Madison’s win,while also championing the theatrical experience.They’re acknowledging the changing industry landscape while still honoring the core values of filmmaking.It looks like they’re celebrating the best in film, both independent and commercially successful.

Archyde: Anya, a question for our readers: Knowing what you know about the Academy’s choices, what films do you predict will be nominated next year and why? Share your thoughts below!

Anya Sharma: A great question to ponder! Thanks for having me.