The Best and Worst of the 2025 Oscars

The 2025 Oscars brought glitz, glamour and plenty of gasps before awards season came to an unofficial end.

On Sunday, March 2, host Conan O’Brien helped lead a live telecast that honored the very best in film from the past year.

“For nearly a century, we have paused every spring to elevate and celebrate an art form that has the power at its very best to unite us,” O’Brien shared during his opening monologue inside the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. “The work continues next year and for years to come. Through trauma and joy, this seemingly absurd ritual is going to be here. … The magic, the madness, the grandeur and the joy of film worldwide is gonna be with us forever.”

With the red carpet officially closed and all the awards handed out, Us Weekly is looking back at the best and worst moments from the 2025 Academy Awards. Keep reading to see all of the surprises at the biggest awards show of the year.

Best Performance: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo 

Wicked’s leading ladies kicked off the 2025 Oscars with a bang when they performed a medley of songs from The Wizard of Oz and related adaptations over the years. Grande began the performance singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in a ruby red dress before Erivo took to the stage to pay tribute to The Wiz musical by singing Dorothy’s signature song “Home.”

They eventually came together to sing Wicked‘s “Defying Gravity.” Audience members were left crying, Ethan Slater was cheering and viewers immediately knew this was going to be a show!

Best Oscars Announcer: Nick Offerman 

Many Parks and Recreation fans may have recognized the unmistakable voice behind the 2025 Oscars. Offerman, who played Ron Swanson on the NBC comedy, took over from last year’s announcer, David Alan Grier, in a role originated by former President Ronald Reagan, who worked as an actor prior to stepping into politics.

One standout moment came when Offerman had a little fun at costar Amy Poehler’s expense by mispronouncing her name before she presented an award.

Best Milestone: Zoe Saldaña and Other History-Making Winners 

Saldaña tried to hold back tears when she accepted the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role thanks to her performance of Rita in Emilia Pérez. “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award,” she said. “And I hope I won’t be the last.”

She wasn’t the only one to make history at the 2025 Oscars. Wicked’s costume designer Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design. In addition, Best Animated Feature Film victor Flow earned the title of first Latvian film to win an Oscar in any category.

Best Acceptance Speech-Turned-Very-Personal Request: Kieran Culkin 

As Culkin accepted the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role thanks to his role as Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain, he couldn’t help but ask his wife, Jazz Charton, a personal request.

“I want to tell a really quick story about Jazz. About a year ago, I was on a stage like this, and I very stupidly publicly said that I want a third kid from her, because she said, ‘If I won the award, she would give me the kid,’” he said, referring to his 2023 Emmy Awards acceptance speech. “It turns out she said that because she didn’t think I was gonna win.”

After Culkin won an award for his performance in Succession, Charton made an innocent suggestion. “She said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar,’” Culkin recalled. “I held my hand out. She took it, and I have not brought it up once, until just now. … Let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say?” Spoiler alert: She laughed off his request before mouthing, “No!”

Best Surprise: The Academy Spreads the Love 

Anything can happen at the 2025 Oscars. Just when movie fans thought Demi Moore was going to win Best Actress in a Leading Role thanks to The Substance, voters had another idea when they picked Mikey Madison from Anora to receive the trophy – and unofficial title of Best Upset of the night.

While past years have seen the same movie dominate in nearly every category, Wicked, Dune: Part Two, The Brutalist, Anora and Emilia Pérez all won multiple awards, proving there’s room for everyone.

Worst Luck at the Oscars: Dianne Warren

When arriving at the Dolby Theatre, Warren was hoping “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight would win Best Original Song. Because “El Mal” from Emilia Pérez ultimately took home the trophy, Warren still has yet to win an Academy Award despite 16 nominations during her career.

If it’s any consolation, at least Warren received her Honorary Oscar in 2022.

Worst Reminder of Time Constraints: Conan O’Brien

During his opening monologue, O’Brien acknowledged the fact that the Academy Awards has struggled to end the awards show on time. Instead of keeping his beginning segment short and sweet, the late-night host decided to burst into an original song about how he won’t waste time.

“I won’t waste time. Why would I waste time?” he sang before backup dancers joined in on the performance. “It’s such, such an audacious crime.”

For the record: The first award was eventually handed out a whopping 29 minutes into the show.

Worst Use of Musical Numbers: James Bond Tribute

In a break from tradition stretching back to the 1940s, the 2025 Oscars chose to forgo live performances of the Best Original Song nominees. Instead, organizers chose to incorporate other unique musical numbers, like a laborious tribute to James Bond.

While Margaret Qualley, Doja Cat, Lisa and Raye have plenty of talent, recognizing films from decades ago doesn’t seem to be a fit when nominated songs from Emilia Pérez, The Six Triple Eight, Sing Sing and Elton John: Never Too Late deserve to have one night.

Worst Omission: Hollywood’s Fallen Stars

While The Academy deserves recognition for finding a tasteful way to honor Gene Hackman days after his death was confirmed, the In Memoriam segment had a few talented actors noticeably missing.

Some viewers were left questioning where Beverly Hills, 90210 alum Shannen Doherty and Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg (who both appeared in notable films, too) were. While both names appear on the Oscars’ official website, it’s clear some were hoping for a primetime tribute.

Worst Use of Time: Excessive Introductions 

For select awards, presenters were tasked with delivering a personalized (sometimes awkward) message to each of the nominees. While Best Supporting Actor nominees likely appreciated praise from legendary actor Robert Downey Jr., some viewers wished producers would just stick to clips of the nominees’ performances.

“This conceit of the presenters addressing the nominees at length is BAD,” one user wrote via X. “Just show the work, please. #Oscars.”