The 2025 Oscars are finally here, and here are all of the records that were broken in the show so far. Like at every Academy Awards ceremony, there is all kinds of potential for records to be broken by the various nominees, with the various awards categories having record-breaking potential. So, here is every record-breaking moment from the awards ceremony tonight, and how they have changed Oscars history forever.
The 2025 Oscars were a tight race, with the nominees for Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards having some incredibly strong contendors. Anora, A Complete Unknown, The Brutalist, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked, were all nominated for Best Picture, while movies like The Wild Robot, Sing Sing, The Apprentice, A Real Pain, and more filled out the nominee list in the other categories. While there were tons of surprises, many Oscars viewers don’t realize just how many records were broken on March 2, 2025. Thus, the following records were broken at the 97th Academy Awards.
7
Flow Is The First Independent Film & Latvian Film To Win Best Animated Feature
After Its Surprise Animated Oscar Win
Flow
9/10
- Release Date
-
August 30, 2024
- Runtime
-
84 minutes
- Director
-
Gints Zilbalodis
- Writers
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Gints Zilbalodis, Matiss Kaza
Flow started the show out strong by winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, with it coming out on top of the contentious category. This was a big deal, with it allowing Flow to break two Academy Awards records. Firstly, Flow is the first independent film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, with this being a big step forward for indie animation. On top of that, Flow is also the first Latvian film to win Best Animated Feature, with the film doubling down on its record-breaking status.
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With His Historic Oscar Win, Paul Tazewell Is 1 Award Away From Something Only 28 People Have Achieved
Paul Tazewell’s win at the 2025 Oscars was historic for one great reason, but it’s even more exciting when put into the context of his future.
Flow had already broken a record before the Academy Awards even started, with it breaking a record due to its nomination. Flow is also the first animated movie to be nominated for Best International Feature Film, meaning that its win is a big deal for that reason as well.
6
Paul Tazewell Is The First Black Man To Win An Oscar For Best Costume Design
After Losing For His Work On West Side Story
Wicked
9/10
- Release Date
-
November 22, 2024
- Runtime
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160 Minutes
Another record was broken in the Best Costume Design category thanks to its winner, Paul Tazewell. Paul Tazewell won the award for his work on Wicked, with the critically acclaimed costume design in the movie being one of the most memorable parts of the film’s production design. After having been nominated for 2021’s West Side Story remake, Paul Tazewell finally won for Wicked, with this win making Oscars history.
Paul Tazewell is the first black man to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design, with many fans of Wicked being excited that the 2024 film has already begun to win Oscars. In a night full of major awards and big records, Wicked‘s Best Costume Design win is one of the most significant.
5
Zoe Saldana Is The First Dominican To Win An Oscar For Acting
In Any Of The Acting Categories
Emilia Perez
9/10
- Release Date
-
November 13, 2024
- Runtime
-
130 Minutes
Heading into the Oscars, the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress was one of the most mysterious categories, with many fans being torn on who would win. Zoe Saldaña’s popularity throughout the awards season meant that her chances were pretty high, but Emilia Pérez‘s relative unpopularity also meant that her win would be controversial. Despite the controversy, Saldaña ended up taking home the award, setting another record in the process.
By taking home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña became the first Dominican actor to win an Oscar for acting, in any of the four acting categories. This means that Saldaña’s record-setting win will be etched into the books of Oscars history, making Saldaña’s win even more impactful.
4
I’m Still Here’s Best International Feature Win Is The First Oscar For Brazil
But This Isn’t The Only Record I’m Still Here Played A Role In
I’m Still Here
7/10
- Release Date
-
November 20, 2024
- Runtime
-
137 Minutes
-
Fernanda Torres
Eunice Paiva
-
Selton Mello
Rubens Paiva
I’m Still Here won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film, which was unsurprising considering its Best Picture nomination. However, this win is the first Oscar win for Brazil, making the category even more significant.
3
Emilia Pérez Is The First Movie To Be Nominated For Best International & Best Picture To Lose Best International
After Losing To I’m Still Here
The category of Best International Feature Film was another interesting one, as Emilia Pérez and I’m Still Here’s nominations created an interesting situation. Both movies were nominated for Best International Feature Film and Best Picture. Thus, the loser of Best International Feature Film would be the first movie to be nominated for it and Best Picture to lose Best International Feature Film.
Since I’m Still Here won Best International Feature Film, it means that Emilia Pérez is the one that took home this unfortunate record. Most of the time, the international movies that are nominated for Best Picture are a shoo-in for a Best International Feature win. Thus, this record is one of Emilia Pérez‘s biggest impacts at the 97th Academy Awards.
2
Adrien Brody Is The First Actor To Win Both Of His First Two Acting Nominations
Thanks To The Pianist & The Brutalist
The Brutalist
10/10
- Release Date
-
December 20, 2024
- Runtime
-
215 Minutes
The Best Actor category was another tight race, with all five of the actors having a good chance to win. However, Adrien Brody ended up winning the Best Actor category for his performance in The Brutalist, which made sense after his previous awards season successes.
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Anora’s 96-Year-Old Oscars Record Is Something Only Walt Disney Has Even Come Close To
At the 2025 Oscars, the rom-com movie Anora found great success, with writer-director Sean Baker matching a record only ever held by Walt Disney.
The Brutalist is Adrien Brody’s second Best Actor win, with him currently having a 100% win rate in the category. Adrien Brody’s first Best Actor win came after his performance in The Pianist. Brody wasn’t nominated in the category again until the 97th Academy Awards, wtih him taking home the gold for Best Actor.
1
Sean Baker Is Tied For The Most Oscars In One Night
With A Disney Legend
Anora
9/10
- Release Date
-
October 18, 2024
- Runtime
-
139 Minutes
Sean Baker had a massive night at the Oscars thanks to his work on Anora, with him taking home Best Director, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture. Anora was the big winner at the 97th Academy Awards, and since Sean Baker had his hands in every part of production, he won the majority of the film’s awards.
Sean Baker’s four Oscars in one night ties him with Walt Disney for the most Oscars won in one night. Interestingly, all of Sean Baker’s Oscars were for different movies, while Walt Disney’s were for four different movies. This arguably makes Sean Baker’s wins more impressive, with Anora‘s performance being one of the most significant stories coming out of the 2025 Oscars.
Oscars
- Location
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Los Angeles, CA
- Dates
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March 2, 2025
- Website
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https://www.oscars.org/