Oscar nominees for the 97th Annual Academy Awards (Academy Credit)

 

Countdown to the 2025 Oscars: What to Expect on Hollywood’s Biggest Night

The stage is set, the nominees are ready, and Hollywood’s most glamorous night is finally here. The 97th Annual Academy Awards airs tonight, celebrating the best in film with an evening of glitz, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments. With films like Anora, The Brutalist, and Conclave vying for Best Picture, this year’s ceremony promises to be a showdown of cinematic excellence.

When and Where to Watch

The Oscars will air live tonight at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The broadcast will be available on ABC, and for the first time, viewers can also stream the event live on Hulu. Additionally, the Oscars can be watched on the ABC app or ABC.com with a valid TV provider login.

Red Carpet Extravaganza: When It All Begins

Hollywood’s biggest stars will hit the red carpet long before the first award is handed out. The official Oscars pre-show, hosted by Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer, will begin at 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST on ABC, featuring live arrivals, nominee interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments.

For those who can’t get enough of red carpet fashion, multiple networks will provide extended pre-show coverage:

• ABC News: On The Red Carpet at the Oscars kicks off at 3:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. PST, with hosts Linsey Davis, Whit Johnson, and Variety’s Clayton Davis giving in-depth coverage.
• E! News: The Oscars countdown starts at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST, leading into Live From E!: The Oscars at 4 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST, where stars will be interviewed as they enter.
• E! will also air a 30-minute "Red Carpet Rundown" at 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST, recapping the night’s best fashion moments.

Meet This Year’s Oscars Host: Conan O’Brien

For the first time, comedy legend Conan O’Brien will take on hosting duties, bringing his signature humor and quick wit to the ceremony. O’Brien takes over from Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted for the past two years. The former late-night host has already hinted at some “fun ideas” and “great surprises,” including a joke about shaving Stanley Tucci’s chest—a gag Tucci has (so far) not agreed to.

Expect O’Brien’s hosting style to shake things up with playful jabs, unexpected audience interactions, and a fresh take on the Academy Awards.

Who’s Nominated? The Best Picture Showdown

This year’s Best Picture race is stacked with a mix of powerhouse performances, bold storytelling, and genre-defying filmmaking. Here are the films competing for the night’s biggest prize:

• The Brutalist
• A Complete Unknown
• Anora
• Conclave
• Dune: Part Two
• Emilia Pérez
• I’m Still Here
• Nickel Boys
• The Substance
• Wicked

Leading the nominations tally is Emilia Pérez, a genre-blending musical about a Mexican transgender cartel leader, racking up 13 nods. Following closely behind are Wicked and The Brutalist, each securing 10 nominations. With such a competitive field, tonight’s Best Picture winner is truly anyone’s guess.

After the Oscars: The Vanity Fair Party and More

The celebration doesn’t end when the final award is handed out. After the ceremony, Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party will go live on YouTube at 12 a.m. EST/9 p.m. PST, hosted by Tan France. Expect behind-the-scenes footage, star-studded interviews, and, of course, plenty of post-Oscars fashion commentary.

Lights, Camera, Action!

With Hollywood’s biggest names ready to take the stage, tonight’s Academy Awards will be a night to remember. Whether you’re tuning in for the awards, the fashion, or Conan O’Brien’s unpredictable hosting, the 97th Oscars promises to deliver unforgettable moments and historic wins.

Stay tuned, and may the best film win!

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