It is that time again. The air in Los Angeles gets that specific electric hum, the red carpet rolls out like a giant velvet tongue, and everyone starts arguing about movies they only half-watched on a plane. Honestly, tracking the academy awards 2025 date and the shifting schedule has been a bit of a rollercoaster this year, thanks to some unexpected chaos in California.
If you are looking for the short version: mark your calendar for Sunday, March 2, 2025.
That is when the 97th Oscars will officially go down at the Dolby Theatre. But the path to get there? Kinda messy. Usually, the Academy has a rhythm, a metronome-like precision to their announcements. This year, nature had other plans.
The Big Date and the Wildfire Delay
Most of us expected the nominations to drop on their usual Tuesday slot in mid-January. That didn't happen. Because of the devastating wildfires that ripped through the Los Angeles area, the Academy had to scramble. It is rare to see Hollywood’s biggest machine pause for anything, but the safety of the crews and the city took precedence.
Instead of the original January 17 slot, the academy awards 2025 date for nominations was pushed to Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang handled the announcement at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. It was a high-energy morning, despite the heavy atmosphere in the city. You’ve probably seen the headlines by now—Emilia Pérez basically took over the room with 13 nominations. That is a massive deal, especially for a non-English language film. It broke records before the ceremony even started.
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Why the 7:00 PM Start Time Matters
One thing you really need to remember for March 2 is the time change. For years, the Oscars were a late-night endurance test for anyone on the East Coast.
The Academy stuck with the "earlier is better" experiment. The show starts at 7:00 PM EST (4:00 PM PST). If you tune in at 8:00 PM like the old days, you’re going to miss the first three or four awards. Given how long these speeches can get, that extra hour is a godsend for anyone who has to work on Monday morning.
Conan O'Brien: The New Captain
Can we talk about the host for a second? After Jimmy Kimmel’s multi-year run, the Academy pivoted. Hard.
Conan O'Brien is stepping in for his first-ever turn as the Oscar host. It’s a fascinating choice. Conan is a writer’s comic—he’s got that self-deprecating, chaotic energy that feels right for a show that often takes itself too seriously. He actually joked in the press release that "America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars."
That is the vibe we are looking at. A bit of absurdity to cut through the tension.
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Who is Leading the Pack?
The nominations list is a weird, wonderful mix this year. It doesn't feel like a "one horse race" like some previous years.
- Anora: Sean Baker’s film is the heavyweight here. It’s got that indie-darling-turned-blockbuster momentum.
- The Brutalist: This one is the "epic" of the year. Adrien Brody is back in the Best Actor conversation in a huge way.
- Wicked: It’s not just a musical; it’s a technical juggernaut. It tied with The Brutalist for 10 nominations.
- A Complete Unknown: Timothée Chalamet playing Bob Dylan was always going to be catnip for the Academy.
The "How to Watch" Logistics
Basically, if you have a TV and a pair of rabbit ears, you can watch it on ABC. But the world is changing, and so is the Academy’s distribution. This year, the show is streaming live on Hulu for the first time. That’s a big shift for cord-cutters who used to have to borrow their parents' cable login to watch the ABC app.
If you’re outside the US, the broadcast is hitting over 200 territories. Most local broadcasters will carry it, but the 7 PM EST start time means some very early mornings for folks in London or Tokyo.
The Cancelled Luncheon
One sad note in the 2025 cycle: the Oscars Nominees Luncheon.
Usually, this is the one event where everyone—from the biggest movie stars to the sound editors—gets together for a giant "class photo." Because of the scheduling shifts caused by the wildfires, the Academy actually had to cancel it this year. It’s a bummer for the nominees who look forward to that low-pressure mingling, but the focus had to stay on getting the main show ready for the academy awards 2025 date.
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What to Watch For on March 2
The ceremony itself is directed by Hamish Hamilton and produced by Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. They are the same team that kept things moving relatively briskly last year.
Expect a lot of focus on the 23 categories, obviously, but also look out for the "In Memoriam" segment. There’s a planned tribute to Quincy Jones, with Queen Latifah set to perform "Ease on Down the Road" from The Wiz. It’s going to be a tear-jerker.
Also, the International Feature category is a total shark tank. Brazil’s I'm Still Here is a massive contender, but it’s up against Emilia Pérez (France) and The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany). Honestly, any of those could take it.
Your Oscars 2025 Checklist
If you want to be the "smart one" at your viewing party, keep these dates and details handy:
- Final Voting: The window is tight. It runs from February 11 to February 18. After that, the ballots are locked in the PricewaterhouseCoopers vault.
- The Pre-Show: Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer are hosting the red carpet starting at 6:30 PM EST. Tune in then if you just care about the dresses.
- The Winners: History says that the movie with the most nominations doesn't always win Best Picture, but Anora feels like the one to beat.
Basically, just make sure you’re on your couch by 7:00 PM EST on March 2. The academy awards 2025 date is firm, the host is ready, and despite the wildfire delays, the show is going to be a massive celebration of a really strong year for film.
Next Steps:
- Sync your digital calendar to March 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM EST to ensure you don't miss the live start.
- Check your streaming subscriptions; if you don't have cable, ensure your Hulu account is active or look for a trial before the big night.
- Watch at least three of the Best Picture nominees (Anora, The Brutalist, Emilia Pérez) this week so you actually know who you're rooting for.