The 2025 Oscars delivered a lot of exciting moments for film. From historic wins, heartfelt speeches, and even a hilarious plea to keep movie theaters alive, it was a memorable night for cinema lovers. Check out a gallery of our favorite moments from the 97th Academy Awards inside.
From Paul Tazewell breaking barriers in costume design and becoming the first Black man to win an Oscar in the category to Zoe Saldaña’s deeply personal acceptance speech thanking her family, we chose the most standout moments from the night. They had us cheering, crying, and thinking about the future of film.
We loved the wins, heartfelt speeches, and battle cry for the future of moviegoing. The 2025 Oscars gave us plenty to celebrate and even more to think about. Which moment was your favorite? Let us know in the comments
Check out a gallery of our favorite moments below:
1. Paul Tazewell Makes History in Costume Design
Love Black America Web? Get more! Join the Black America Web Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription.
Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design, a groundbreaking moment that had the audience erupting in applause. Known for his work on West Side Story and Hamilton, Tazewell’s win was long overdue and a testament to his undeniable talent in bringing characters to life through fashion.
2. A Powerful Message From 'No Other Land'
The Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land delivered one of the most politically charged moments of the night. Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham used their platform to call attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their speech, highlighting injustice and suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, was both deeply moving and highly controversial.
3. Colman Domingo Is Always A Mood
Colman Domingo ushered the Oscars crowd into a quick turn-up during the commercial break. Naturally, when you hear Frankie Beverly & Maze’s “Before I Let Go” come on, you know it’s either time for a dance break or time to go home.
Love us for real.
4. Zoe Saldaña’s Emotional Acceptance Speech
Zoe Saldaña took home her first Oscar and delivered one of the night’s most moving speeches. She began with a heartfelt tribute to her mother and family, exclaiming, “Mami! My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am floored by this honor.” She then reflected on her role as Rita, emphasizing the “quiet heroism and power” in women like her character. Before wrapping up, Saldaña made it personal, dedicating her win to her husband and children while honoring her immigrant roots. “The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish… my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted,” she said.
5. Sean Baker’s Record-Breaking Night
Director Sean Baker had the most dominant night in Oscar history, tying Walt Disney’s record by winning four awards—Best Editing, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture for Anora. His success marked a monumental shift toward independent filmmaking getting mainstream recognition.
Kieran Culkin, coming off his Succession award season streak, won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain and did not disappoint. His speech started with a censored moment that seemed to include a shoutout to his former co-star Jeremy Strong. He then closed with a personal and cheeky remark about expanding his family, saying, “Let’s get cracking on those kids,” referring to a promise from his wife.
7. Animation Surprises: 'Flow' & 'In the Shadow of the Cypress'
The Best Animated Feature category saw a major upset with Flow, a Latvian-made, dialogue-free film, beating out heavyweights like The Wild Robot and Inside Out 2. Director Gints Zilbalodis used his speech to call for unity, reflecting the film’s themes. Meanwhile, Iranian short film In the Shadow of the Cypress won Best Animated Short, with its creators barely making it to the ceremony due to visa struggles. “Just the fact that we managed to make this film under the extraordinary circumstances of our country is a miracle,” co-director Shirin Sohani said.
8. The Fight to Keep Movie Theaters Alive
Two major moments at the Oscars reminded audiences of the importance of seeing films on the big screen. A hilarious fake ad by Conan O’Brien promoted “CinemaStreams,” a parody that essentially described a movie theater. Even Martin Scorsese made a cameo to endorse it. Later, Sean Baker used his Best Director speech to issue a passionate call to support theaters, noting that nearly 1,000 screens were lost during the pandemic. His rallying cry was a powerful reminder that the cinematic experience is worth fighting for.
Of course, the Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performance landed on our favorite moments list. The two incredibly talented Wicked stars gave fans and attendees a memorable performance of classic tunes like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Home.”
10. This Awkward Moment Between Oprah & Whoopi Goldberg
Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg introduced the Quincy Jones tribute which featured a memorable Queen Latifah performance. Though an exciting tribute, this interaction between the entertainers felt a little bit shady. The comments are hilarious. Gotta love the Internet.
