2025 Oscars Best-Picture Nominees

An Academy Award member, director and producer Steven Spielberg once said “The Oscars are a barometer of where we are as an industry, in terms of both the art and the business. What wins, reflects what’s happening in society - what people are thinking, feeling, and responding to.” Especially this year’s nominations ranging from topics that explore the intersection of race, identity, and gender.

So let’s deep dive into the topics and explore some of the winners and how they will affect the industry in the future. 

Let’s first take a look at the movie, “Emilia Perez” which was directed by Jacques Audiard. ”Emilia Perez” brings a greater representation of the Latinx experiences and narratives to mainstream important conversations about social issues within the community. Netflix, the studio in which the movie was produced, did their best to find some of the most famous actors of this time including; Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, Mark Ivanir and Édgar Ramírez.  The film will reshape the industry because it opens up the door for unique storylines about people from all different cultures and backgrounds.

Next, Wicked, written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, directed by John M. Chu, and produced by Mark Platt - received multiple nominations in categories like production design, visual effects, and Best Picture. Wicked has already raised the bar for musical films, enjoying a wildly successful theatrical run and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Its box office triumph could signal a new wave of musical films hitting theaters in the near future. Just as Netflix did with Emilia Perez, Universal Pictures chose a star-studded cast—including Idina Menzel, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jeff Goldblum—to elevate the movie’s appeal and further develop the careers of rising stars, all while giving established names the opportunity to shine in a new light.

The final film to discuss is Dune: Part Two. Produced by Warner Bros. and directed by Denis Villeneuve, this ambitious film could have a lasting impact on the industry. By setting new standards for large-scale, visually stunning cinematic experiences, Dune may inspire more bold, complex science fiction adaptations and push the boundaries of world-building in future films. Its intricate storytelling, exceptional visuals, and commitment to staying true to the source material could also reignite a desire for epic, character-driven narratives, with high production values becoming a hallmark of the genre.

In conclusion, the 2025 Oscar nominees such as Emilia Perez, Wicked, Dune: Part Two, and others have the power to reshape the future of the film industry. These films create opportunities for fresh storytelling, innovative filmmaking techniques, and greater inclusivity. As they set new standards for creativity and cultural relevance, they are poised to influence the direction of Hollywood for years to come, shaping films that resonate deeply with audiences and encouraging the industry to continue evolving in exciting ways.