Movie buffs gather around! The 97th Academy Awards just wrapped up and let me tell you it was a night of surprises laughs and some seriously moving moments. And for the first time ever Hulu was the place to be to catch all the action live! If you missed the show don't worry we have got you covered with all the highlights and how you can still catch the replay on Hulu.
'Anora' Shocks Hollywood: Indie Film Sweeps Oscars with Major Wins Including Best Picture!
Okay let's talk about the biggest surprise of the night: Anora. This little indie movie totally stole the show taking home a whopping five Oscars ! Yes FIVE! No one really saw this coming especially with big contenders in the mix. Anora a movie about a sex worker and a Russian oligarch's son snagged Best Picture and Best Actress for Mikey Madison who beat out some serious heavy hitters like Demi Moore. Director Sean Baker even joined Walt Disney as only the second person EVER to win four Oscars in one night! Talk about an upset.
What makes this win even more interesting? Anora was made completely outside the Hollywood studio system. It is a true indie film produced by Neon the same company behind Parasite. And get this they made it for just $6 million. Compare that to other Best Picture nominees like Wicked with a budget of $150 million or Dune: Part Two at $190 million. It is a David versus Goliath story and indie film lovers are celebrating big time. Producer Alex Coco even encouraged aspiring filmmakers saying "If you're trying to make independent films keep doing it. We need more. This is proof."
Conan O'Brien Brings the Funny (and a Little Heart) as Oscars Host
This year Conan O'Brien took over hosting duties and he did not disappoint. He brought his signature brand of silly humor and some unexpected heartfelt moments to the Dolby Theatre. From a song and dance routine about not wasting time to a piano-playing Sandworm Conan kept the energy up and the laughs coming. He even managed to navigate some tougher topics like the wildfires in Los Angeles and made a subtle jab at Donald Trump without naming names. He joked about Anora's win saying "I guess Americans are excited to see someone finally stand up to a powerful Russian." Boom Roasted!
Despite some folks wanting a totally politics-free show Conan and some of the winners made sure to bring some substance to the stage. The team behind Best Documentary Feature winner No Other Land a film with no US distributor used their speech to call for peace between Palestine and Israel. Their words about the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank were powerful and moving. Best Actor winner Adrien Brody spoke out against "systematic oppression" antisemitism and racism. And Zoe Saldaña celebrated her historic Best Supporting Actress win as a proud child of immigrant parents.
'Wicked' Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Deliver a Show-Stopping Musical Performance
Of course it wouldn't be the Oscars without some amazing musical moments and Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from the movie Wicked delivered big time. They kicked off the show with an incredible performance that took everyone "Over the Rainbow" and beyond. Before their duet of "Defying Gravity" Ariana sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz and Cynthia belted out "Home" from The Wiz. It was the perfect way to start a night celebrating movies and music.
Kieran Culkin's Hilarious Oscar Speech: More Kids on the Way?
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor and his speech was definitely memorable but maybe not for the usual reasons. He used his time on stage to hilariously put his wife Jazz Charton in the spotlight. He told a story about how she said she would have more kids with him if he won an Oscar. He wants four kids total! He ended his speech with a direct plea to his wife "Let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say?" The audience loved it and it was a funny lighthearted moment in the show.
Missed the Live Broadcast? Here's How to Watch the Oscars 2025 Replay on Hulu!
Did life get in the way and you could not watch the Oscars live on Sunday? No problem! Hulu is your best bet to catch up. The 97th Annual Academy Awards streamed live on Hulu for the first time ever and the replay is available on Hulu now! You can also check ABC.com to see if it is available there. Don't miss out on all the winning moments the funny speeches and the amazing performances. Get streaming!
Oscar Winners 2025: Highlights of the Major Awards
Want a quick rundown of some of the biggest winners of the night? Here are a few key categories:
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Best Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
- Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
- Best Original Screenplay: Anora (Sean Baker)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Conclave (Screenplay by Peter Straughan)
- Best Animated Feature Film: Flow
- Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land
- Best International Feature Film: I'm Still Here (Brazil)
- Best Original Song: "El Mal" from Emilia Pérez
- Best Cinematography: The Brutalist (Lol Crawley)
- Best Costume Design: Wicked (Paul Tazewell)
- Best Production Design: Wicked (Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales)
- Best Film Editing: Anora (Sean Baker)
- Best Makeup and Hairstyling: The Substance
- Best Original Score: The Brutalist (Daniel Blumberg)
- Best Sound: Dune: Part Two
- Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
- Best Documentary Short Film: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
- Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cypress
- Best Live Action Short Film: I'm Not a Robot
Oscars 2025: A Night of Surprises Heart and Hulu Streaming History
The 2025 Oscars were definitely a night to remember. From the shock of Anora's big win to Conan O'Brien's hosting and the amazing performances it was a show with something for everyone. And with Hulu streaming the whole thing live it is easier than ever to be part of the Oscars experience. If you missed it do not wait catch the replay on Hulu and relive all the best moments from Hollywood's biggest night!