5 Frontrunners for the 2025 Oscars for the Best Actress
- Angelina Jolie leads the 2025 Oscars Best Actress race with 'Maria.'
- Saoirse Ronan seeks her first Academy Award win with 'The Outrun.'
- Karla Sofía Gascón and Mikey Madison aims to make history.
The 2025 Oscars are just around the corner, and the Best Actress race is shaping up to be a nail-biter. Seriously, if you thought last year’s competition was intense, just wait! We’ve got a blend of Oscar veterans and fresh faces ready to battle it out for that golden statue.
Last year, Emma Stone shocked everyone by snatching the win from Lily Gladstone. But who’s going to take the crown this time? This year’s contenders are coming in hot with killer performances that might just steal our hearts (and the Oscars!).
We’re talking about legends like Angelina Jolie and newcomers like Mikey Madison. With nominations coming out on January 17, 2025, the suspense is real! Let’s dive into the top five frontrunners who might just walk away with that shiny trophy.
5. Nicole Kidman in Babygirl
Nicole Kidman is back, and she’s packing some serious heat in Babygirl! Critics of Variety and Gold Derby are calling her performance “fearless” and “Oscar-worthy.” In the film, Kidman plays Romy, a CEO tangled in an affair with a much younger intern.
Her portrayal swings from outrage to fear to all-out lust. You can practically feel the psychological tension through the screen. Her performance has already snagged her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at Venice. That’s no small feat!
But the film is a bit edgy, featuring some steamy scenes. Will Oscar voters keep their eyes wide open or look the other way? Nic previously snagged the Best Actress Oscar in 2002 for The Hours.
She’s got the chops, but can she navigate this tricky year’s competition? With hype around her performance, the actress could be making a serious run for that nomination. Fingers crossed, because we all want to see Kidman back on that Oscars stage!
4. Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun
Saoirse Ronan is in the mix again with her role in The Outrun. This could be her moment! After multiple nominations, fans are wondering if the Academy will finally reward her talent. It’s about time, right?
In The Outrun, Ronan goes all out with a physically and emotionally demanding performance. Critics are buzzing, saying she deserves the spotlight this year. This would be her fifth Oscar nomination, and it’s starting to feel like the stars might align for her.
Will Ronan’s team rally enough support to push her to the front of the pack? She’s had some tough competition in the past, but this year might just be different. If the awards season plays out in her favor, we could see Ronan take home her first Oscar. That would be a major moment in Oscar history!
3. Mikey Madison in Anora
Mikey Madison is making waves with her role in Anora. This film is a potential Best Picture frontrunner, and Madison is at the center of it all.
She’s worked with big names like Quentin Tarantino in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and has built her resume in Hollywood. Now, in Anora, she tackles the story of love and marriage from a stripper’s perspective. It’s bold, fresh, and might just grab Oscar’s attention.
The film is generating serious buzz, and if it keeps up this momentum, Madison could easily secure a nomination. Being the lead in a potential Best Picture? That’s a solid card to play. The excitement is real for this rising star!
2. Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez
Karla Sofía Gascón is a name you’ll want to remember. She’s leading the charge in Emilia Pérez, and the hype around her performance is hard to ignore. If she gets nominated, she’ll make history as the first openly trans actress to receive an Oscar nod.
Gascón plays the title role in Emilia Pérez, a film that explores a deeply personal trans story. The film’s already making waves at festivals, and Gascón is capturing hearts with her heartfelt performance.
Critics (via Slash Film) are calling it “unforgettable,” and you know what that means—Oscar voters are paying attention! With her co-star Selena Gomez running for Best Supporting Actress, Gascón is positioned perfectly for a strong campaign.
If things go well, she could end up being the face of the film’s Oscar push. The potential for a historic win is on the table, and we’re all rooting for her!
1. Angelina Jolie in Maria
And now, the queen of the Oscars, Angelina Jolie, is back with Maria. She’s already the frontrunner for Best Actress, and honestly, who’s surprised? Jolie plays the iconic opera singer Maria Callas in a film directed by the talented Pablo Larraín.
Biopics tend to snag nominations, and this one looks juicy! Jolie’s performance is said to be transformative—think classic Oscar bait. She hasn’t been nominated in over 15 years, which means the Academy might be itching to recognize her again.
Her last nod was for Changeling back in 2009, and before that, she snagged the award for Girl, Interrupted. Given the Academy’s recent soft spot for Larraín’s films, Angie is looking pretty golden.
