97th Academy Awards (Oscars) Nominations

The nominees for the 97th Academy Awards were unveiled in a live global broadcast, kicking off Hollywood’s awards season in dramatic fashion. Announced from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, the nominations spanned 23 competitive categories—including, for the first time in Oscar history, a brand-new category for Best Casting.

Film enthusiasts and online communities, particularly the popular r/Oscarrace subreddit, were abuzz as the results were read. When the dust settled, it became clear that this year’s race has a front-runner of historic proportions.

'Sinners' Shatters All-Time Nomination Records

Ryan Coogler’s latest film, “Sinners,” emerged with 16 nominations, making Oscar history as the most-nominated film ever in a single year. This stunning tally breaks the long-standing record of 14 nominations, previously shared by All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016).

Most Oscar-Nominated Films (All-Time)

The record-breaking haul for Sinners—a dramatic epic—dominated across the board. It scored nods for Best Picture, Best Director (marking Coogler’s first nomination in this category), and swept technical categories including Cinematography, Film Editing, and Visual Effects. Notably, this marks the first time a film by an African-American filmmaker has led the Oscars with the most nominations.

A24’s 'Marty Supreme' Emerges as a Major Contender

Independent studio A24 continues its awards-season streak with “Marty Supreme,” which earned nine nominations overall. Directed by Josh Safdie, the film is an offbeat drama starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role of Marty Mauser.

The film's nominations include:

• Best Picture
• Best Director (Josh Safdie's first nomination)
• Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet)
• Best Supporting Actress (Gwyneth Paltrow, her first nod since 1999)

Newcomer Luke Manley, who makes his feature film debut in Marty Supreme, took to social media to celebrate the film's success. The movie is described as a journey of a young man with a dream no one respects, pursuing greatness against all odds.

Historic Debut of the Best Casting Category

For the first time, the Academy recognized the vital role of casting directors with the Best Casting category. The inaugural list of nominees included the teams behind Sinners and Marty Supreme, acknowledging the effort required to assemble this year's most powerful ensembles. This addition likely contributed to the high nomination counts for films with expansive, high-caliber casts.

Surprises, Snubs, and Social Media Reactions

No Oscar announcement is complete without "snubs." While precursors largely aligned with the nominations, several high-profile hopefuls were left off the list, sparking heated debates on social media.

Moderators of Oscar-focused forums reminded fans to remain civil: "As the Oscar nominations are always a day of shocks, it is inevitable that many expected and deserving contenders will miss nominations." Despite the frustrations of some fans, the inclusion of genre films and independent gems like Marty Supreme has been widely praised as a sign of the Academy's evolving tastes.

The Road to the Dolby Theatre

The countdown has officially begun for the 97th Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in March 2025.

In the coming weeks, nominees will attend the annual Oscar Nominees Luncheon and various guild awards, which often serve as indicators for the final winners. Marty Supreme is set to expand to IMAX screens on January 30 to capitalize on its momentum, while Sinners remains a dominant force in theaters.

As Hollywood prepares for its biggest night, the world watches to see if Sinners will translate its 16 nominations into a record-breaking night of wins.

FAQ: 97th Academy Awards Nominations

Q: When were the 97th Academy Awards nominations announced?
A: The nominations were announced on January 23, 2025, in a live global broadcast from Los Angeles.

Q: Which film received the most nominations?
A: Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, received 16 nominations, the highest in history for a single film.

Q: Who stars in 'Marty Supreme'?
A: The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Tyler Okonma (Tyler, The Creator), and Fran Drescher.

Q: Where can I see the full list of nominees?
A: The full list is available on the official Oscars website (oscars.org) and through major entertainment news outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Q: When is the Oscar ceremony?
A: The 97th Oscars will be held on March 9, 2025, and broadcast live on ABC.