2025 Oscars Shock: Universal Breaks Records with 25 Nominations While Netflix Shines with 16
2025-01-24
Author: Ting
The 2025 Academy Awards nominations have sent shockwaves through the film industry, revealing a dynamic landscape of contenders and record-breaking achievements. Leading the charge, Netflix has secured an impressive 16 nominations, with the film *Emilia Pérez* dominating in 13 categories. This remarkable feat not only sets a new standard for non-English-language films but inches just one nomination shy of the all-time record held by classics like *All About Eve*, *Titanic*, and *La La Land*, which each garnered 14 nods.
A24 has also made a significant impact this year, racking up 14 nominations, largely thanks to its acclaimed film *The Brutalist*, which has captured the hearts of viewers and critics alike. The film has been a standout at the Golden Globes and is steadily expanding its presence in theaters, having already pulled in nearly $6 million despite a limited release.
Universal Pictures has made history by achieving a combined total of 25 nominations across its film empire, which includes Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation. This marks Universal's best performance to date, surpassing their previous record of 18 nominations last year, which was dominated by Christopher Nolan’s *Oppenheimer*. Notably, Universal Pictures itself led with 13 nominations, driven by the commercial success of *Wicked*, a film that has captivated audiences and grossed over $800 million worldwide. With big-name stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the mix, viewing figures for the awards telecast could see a significant uptick.
Focus Features' *Conclave* has also emerged as a strong contender, gaining eight nominations to tie with previous record-holders such as *Brokeback Mountain* and *Milk*. *Conclave* has proven popular at the box office, having earned over $76 million globally.
Disney, leveraging its diverse catalog, scored a total of 15 nominations, thanks in part to Searchlight Pictures. The film *A Complete Unknown* is in contention for best picture, having performed well financially with nearly $60 million at the box office since its Christmas Day release. Meanwhile, Pixar's *Inside Out 2* has skyrocketed to become the highest-grossing animated film ever, with worldwide ticket sales nearing $1.7 billion.
Not to be overlooked, indie distributor Noen made waves with seven nominations, with six going to the highly praised *Anora*, outshining competitors like Warner Bros., which secured five nominations for *Dune: Part Two*, another strong contender in the best picture category.
As the Academy prepares for what promises to be an exciting awards season, the breakdown of nominations by individual distributor reveals the evolving landscape of film in 2025, showcasing not just the power of traditional studios but also the rising influence of streaming services and independent distributors. The full nominee count is as follows:
- **Netflix** – 16
- **A24** – 14
- **Universal** – 13
- **Focus Features** – 12
- **Searchlight** – 10
- **Neon** – 7
- **Warner Bros.** – 5
- **Paramount** – 3
- **Sony Pictures Classics** – 3
- **Disney** – 1
- **And more...**
With so many remarkable films and artists being recognized, the anticipation for the 2025 Oscars continues to build, making it a must-watch event for film lovers across the globe! Stay tuned for more updates and analyses as we approach the big night!