Hollywood’s biggest night is almost here, and if you're trying to figure out the academy awards 2025 time so you don't miss the first monologue, you aren't alone. Honestly, the Academy has been playing around with the clock lately. For years, we all just knew the Oscars started at 8 p.m. ET. It was a tradition. You had dinner, you sat down, and you stayed up way too late on a Sunday. But things changed last year, and they’re sticking with the new "early bird" vibe for the 97th edition.
The 2025 Oscars are officially scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025.
If you're on the East Coast, the main show kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET. For those out West, that means a 4:00 p.m. PT start. Basically, the Academy realizes that a four-hour show ending at midnight is a tough sell for people with jobs on Monday morning. By moving it up an hour, they're hoping to keep you tuned in until the final Best Picture envelope is opened—which, let's be real, is usually the only reason we're all still awake anyway.
Academy Awards 2025 Time: The Full Global Schedule
Timing is everything. If you show up at 7:00 p.m. expecting the red carpet, you've already missed the best outfits. The fashion gauntlet usually starts much earlier. ABC starts their official pre-show coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT). This is where Julianne Hough and Jesse Palmer usually do their thing, interviewing stars while they try not to trip on their custom couture.
Here is how the clock looks for different time zones across the US:
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- Eastern Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Central Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 4:00 p.m.
If you’re watching from the UK, prepare for some coffee. The show starts at midnight GMT. For our friends in Australia (Sydney), it’s a Monday morning affair starting around 11:00 a.m. AEDT.
Why the 2025 Timing Feels a Bit Different
There was a lot of behind-the-scenes stress this year. Los Angeles dealt with some pretty horrific wildfires earlier in the season, which actually forced the Academy to reshuffle a few key dates. The nominations announcement, originally pegged for mid-January, got pushed back to January 23, 2025.
Even the Nominees Luncheon—that fancy event where everyone takes a giant class photo—was cancelled this year to accommodate the schedule shifts. But the March 2 date for the ceremony itself held firm. It’s the anchor in a sea of changing logistics.
Conan O'Brien and the New Energy
Conan O'Brien is hosting. Finally. After Jimmy Kimmel did a solid four-stint run, the "Cone-Zone" is taking over. This is his first time hosting the Oscars, though he’s done the Emmys and the White House Correspondents' Dinner before. People are kind of hyped because Conan’s brand of self-deprecating, slightly chaotic humor is exactly what a long awards show needs.
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Expect a lot of jokes about his hair and probably a few bits that lean into his late-night roots. He’s already joked that "America demanded it" along with the return of a specific Taco Bell menu item. It's a weird choice for some, but honestly, his live TV experience is top-tier.
Where to Stream the 97th Oscars
For the first time ever, Hulu is a major player in the live broadcast. You've always been able to watch on ABC with a cable box, but this year the partnership with Hulu is much deeper. You can stream the academy awards 2025 time and ceremony live on Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV.
If you just have a standard Hulu subscription, you might have to wait until the next day to catch the full replay. The ABC app and website are also options, but you'll need those pesky cable provider login credentials to get past the gate.
What’s Actually Happening On Screen?
The race is tight. Anora and Emilia Pérez are the names you’ll hear constantly. Emilia Pérez actually leads the pack with 13 nominations—a massive feat for a non-English language film. The Brutalist and Wicked are right behind them with 10 nods each.
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There's also a rumor of a massive Wicked musical opening featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. If that happens, you definitely don’t want to be late. That 7:00 p.m. ET start time is non-negotiable if you want to see the big production numbers.
Summary of Key Details
- Host: Conan O'Brien
- Venue: Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles
- Major Nominees: Anora, The Brutalist, Wicked, Emilia Pérez
- The "Wildcard": Potential tributes to the resilience of L.A. following the fires
Your Next Steps for Oscar Sunday
To make sure you're ready for the academy awards 2025 time, do these three things by Sunday afternoon:
- Check your stream: If you’re using Hulu + Live TV or another service, log in at least 20 minutes early to handle any "unexpected" updates or password resets.
- Set the DVR: Even if you plan to watch live, set a recording for an extra hour past the scheduled end time. The Oscars always run over.
- Sync your ballot: If you're playing in a pool, the official nominations were finalized on January 23. Get your picks in before the red carpet starts at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The show is expected to wrap up by 10:30 p.m. ET, but given Conan’s penchant for ad-libbing and the sheer number of categories, don't be surprised if it pushes closer to 11:00 p.m.