The 2025 Academy Awards were nothing short of spectacular! From jaw-dropping wins to historic firsts, this year’s Oscars made history in more ways than one. Let’s break down all the record-shattering moments that will be talked about for years to come.
1. ‘Flow’ Becomes the First Independent & Latvian Film to Win Best Animated Feature
The animated category kicked off the night with a major mic-drop moment as Flow snagged the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Not only did this indie gem become the first independent film to win in the category, but it also marked Latvia’s first-ever victory at the Oscars. And that’s not all! Flow was also the first animated movie ever to be nominated for Best International Feature Film—securing its place in Oscar history before the show even started.
2. Paul Tazewell Becomes the First Black Man to Win Best Costume Design
After a well-deserved nomination for West Side Story in 2021, Paul Tazewell finally got his Oscar moment for his dazzling work on Wicked. This win made him the first Black man to ever take home the Academy Award for Best Costume Design—an achievement long overdue. Tazewell’s intricate, show-stopping designs for Wicked brought the Land of Oz to life in a way that left audiences and Academy voters spellbound.
3. Zoe Saldaña Makes History as the First Dominican Actor to Win an Oscar
The Best Supporting Actress race was wildly unpredictable, but Zoe Saldaña’s powerful performance in Emilia Pérez sealed the deal. With her win, she became the first Dominican actor to ever take home an Oscar in any of the four acting categories. This historic moment was a major win for Afro-Latinx representation in Hollywood, proving once again that Saldaña is an unstoppable force on the big screen.
4. ‘I’m Still Here’ Wins Brazil’s First-Ever Oscar
Brazil had a huge moment at the Oscars when I’m Still Here won Best International Feature Film. Despite the country’s rich cinematic history, this marked Brazil’s first Oscar win ever. With its Best Picture nomination and now an Academy Award under its belt, I’m Still Here has cemented itself as a groundbreaking moment in Brazilian cinema.
5. ‘Emilia Pérez’ Becomes the First Film to Lose Best International Feature After a Best Picture Nomination
Talk about a bittersweet milestone! Emilia Pérez made history in a less-than-ideal way by becoming the first film to be nominated for both Best International Feature Film and Best Picture—but not take home the International Feature award. Usually, when a foreign-language film scores a Best Picture nod, it’s a lock for Best International Feature, but I’m Still Here swooped in and changed the game.
6. Adrien Brody Sets a New Acting Record with ‘The Brutalist’
Adrien Brody just joined an exclusive club! With his Best Actor win for The Brutalist, he became the first actor to win both of his first two acting nominations. His first Oscar came from The Pianist, and now, two decades later, he’s kept a perfect record at the Academy Awards. Talk about a full-circle moment!
7. Sean Baker Joins Walt Disney in Oscars History with Four Wins in One Night
The biggest winner of the night? Sean Baker. The director behind Anora took home four Oscars—Best Director, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture—tying him with none other than Walt Disney for the most Oscars won in a single night. The difference? While Disney’s wins were spread across different movies, Baker dominated the night with just one film. Legendary status: unlocked.
The 97th Academy Awards will go down as one of the most game-changing nights in Oscars history. From long-overdue wins to brand-new records, this year’s ceremony proved that the future of Hollywood is as diverse and unpredictable as ever. What was your favorite history-making moment? Let’s talk Oscars in the comments!
