It’s official: The best picture winner of the 2025 Oscars is Anora, after star Mikey Madison took home an upset Best Actress win over favorite Demi Moore.
The award was presented by When Harry Met Sally co-stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, who handed the statue to Anora producer Alex Coco.
“I don’t know how this can be real life,” said producer Samantha Quan, when it was her turn at the mic. “We made this with very little money, but with all of our hearts. To all of the dreamers and young filmmakers out there, tell the stories you want to tell, tell the stories that move you, I promise you, it’s worth it.”
Director Sean Baker, who already spoke several times over the night for his wins for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editor, added one last note:
“I want to thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film. This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists. Long live independent film!”
Baker became just the second person in Oscars history to win four Oscars in a single night, and the first since Walt Disney (!) did it 71 years ago a the 1954 Academy Awards.
Anora has been one of the buzziest films of 2024 since it premiered at Cannes in May, to near-universal critical acclaim. Mikey Madison stars as Anora—or Ani, as she goes by—an exotic dancer tasked with taking care of the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. What starts as a fairy tale romance devolves into a nightmare.
The 2025 Oscars were an unusually close race, with no obvious Best Picture winner right up until Sunday night. But Anora started to pull ahead as the clear frontrunner after taking home awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Director, and a surprise upset win for Mikey Madison for Best Actress. (Pour one out for Demi Moore and The Substance.) It was almost a full sweep for Anora, winning five awards out of six nominations, with the movie only losing out on its nomination for Best Supporting Actor (which was won by Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain).
And it managed to take home the biggest award of the night over other the other nine nominees, including The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked. Tough break for those who were rooting for a Brutalist Best Picture win, but at least Adrien Brody took won Best Actor over Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown.
And that’s a wrap on the 2025 Oscar season! Now, who’s ready to leave those stuffy Oscar movies behind and dive into summer movie season? Bring on Robert Pattinson as a freaky little weirdo in Mickey 17.
2025 OSCARS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Can’t get enough of the 2025 Oscars? Follow along with Decider’s coverage, including:
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- Oscars 2025 Winners And Where They Are Streaming: Full List With Live Updates
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- Anora star Mikey Madison upsets Demi Moore for Best Actress at Oscars 2025
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- Everything you need to know about the 2025 Oscars red carpet: How to watch, what time they’re starting, you name it.
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