Who will win at the 2025 Oscars?

ABC News - Feb 27th, 2025
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In the lead-up to the Oscars, predictions are swirling around several major categories, with 'Anora' emerging as a weak front-runner for Best Picture after winning key precursor awards like the Producers Guild Awards and the Directors Guild of America Awards. However, with a competitive field, films such as 'Conclave,' 'The Brutalist,' and 'Emilia Pérez' remain strong contenders, reflecting the unpredictability of this year's awards. Best Director and Best Actress categories also promise surprises, with Brady Corbet and Demi Moore facing tough competition from Sean Baker and Mikey Madison, respectively, as they vie for top honors.

The significance of these predictions lies in the historical accuracy of precursor awards, which serve as a barometer for Oscar outcomes. Despite 'Anora' leading in probability models, the possibility of an upset remains high due to the close races in key categories. These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the Oscars, where precursor awards like the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs provide only partial insight. This evolving narrative highlights the anticipation and excitement that accompany Hollywood's biggest night, reflecting broader trends and preferences within the film industry.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-researched and timely analysis of Oscar predictions, grounded in statistical models and historical data. Its strengths lie in its clarity, timeliness, and engagement with a popular cultural event. However, it could improve in areas such as source transparency and balance by providing more explicit references and diverse viewpoints. While the article is unlikely to drive major societal shifts, it effectively engages readers interested in the Oscars and award season, offering insights into the factors influencing potential outcomes. Overall, the article is a valuable contribution to the discourse surrounding the Oscars, with room for enhancement in source quality and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article demonstrates a high level of accuracy in its depiction of the Oscars prediction landscape, referencing specific precursor awards and their historical predictive power. For instance, it correctly notes that the Producers Guild Awards (PGAs) have been a strong predictor for Best Picture, aligning with the Oscars in 14 of the last 20 years. The article also accurately discusses the ranked-choice voting system used by both the PGAs and the Oscars. However, some claims, such as the specific point totals in predictive models like Hickey's and Zauzmer's, are not directly verifiable within the text as they lack external citations or links to the models themselves. The article's overall accuracy is supported by its alignment with known data about the predictive power of various awards, but it would benefit from more explicit references or links to the statistical models and historical data mentioned.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the Oscar predictions by discussing multiple potential outcomes and acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in predicting awards. It highlights the strengths and weaknesses of different precursor awards in predicting Oscar winners, offering a nuanced perspective on the likelihood of different films and individuals winning. However, the article could improve its balance by including more diverse viewpoints or expert opinions on the predictions, rather than primarily relying on statistical models. This would provide a more comprehensive view of the factors influencing the Oscar race beyond just historical data and statistical likelihoods.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and written in a clear and engaging manner, making complex statistical information accessible to a general audience. It effectively breaks down the Oscar prediction process, using specific examples and comparisons to illustrate its points. The logical flow of the article is generally strong, with a clear progression from discussing the unpredictability of the Oscars to analyzing specific categories. However, some sections, such as the detailed breakdown of point totals in predictive models, could benefit from additional explanation or clarification to ensure all readers fully understand the analysis.

6
Source quality

The article draws on credible sources, such as FiveThirtyEight and other established awards, to support its claims about Oscar predictions. However, it lacks direct citations or links to the specific statistical models and historical data it references, which slightly undermines the transparency of its source quality. The reliance on unnamed 'quantitative-minded Oscar pundits' and models without detailed attribution could be improved by providing more explicit references or links to these sources. This would enhance the credibility and reliability of the information presented.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear explanation of the methodology behind Oscar predictions, discussing the historical track records of various precursor awards and the statistical models used to forecast outcomes. However, it lacks transparency in terms of providing direct access to the statistical models and data it references. Including links or citations to the models and historical data would improve transparency, allowing readers to verify the claims made. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may influence the analysis, which could further enhance its transparency.

Sources

  1. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/fivethirtyeights-guide-to-predicting-the-oscars/
  2. https://abc.com/news/9c12f1a8-95c7-4f99-bd0c-4ef2f10a6b8b/category/3590738
  3. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/oscar-predictions-election-style/
  4. https://abc7news.com/post/2025-oscars-expert-explains-how-academy-award-winners-are-picked/15954375/
  5. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/2025-oscars-predictions-should-win-will-win/story?id=119139575