The Best, Worst and Most Oops Moments of the Oscars 2025

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Mike Coppola/Getty; Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty; Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty

Mike Coppola/Getty; Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty; Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty

Awards season has come to an end, and we’ve been here for all the highs and lows of every show. On Sunday night, the Oscars was determined to hit some of the high notes of shows past (honoring the Los Angeles first responders following the January wildfires; making sure Cynthia Erivo gets a chance to sing) while also bringing some surprises to the stage.Host Conan O’Brien brought his signature goofy humor (yes, there was aSubstancebit), the sandworm fromDunemade not one but two appearances, and through all of the jokes and performances, there were some truly emotional speeches that made even the most awards season-hardened among the PEOPLE staff admit to tearing up a bit.Read on for the best and worst moments from the 2025 Oscars.

Awards season has come to an end, and we’ve been here for all the highs and lows of every show. On Sunday night, the Oscars was determined to hit some of the high notes of shows past (honoring the Los Angeles first responders following the January wildfires; making sure Cynthia Erivo gets a chance to sing) while also bringing some surprises to the stage.

Host Conan O’Brien brought his signature goofy humor (yes, there was aSubstancebit), the sandworm fromDunemade not one but two appearances, and through all of the jokes and performances, there were some truly emotional speeches that made even the most awards season-hardened among the PEOPLE staff admit to tearing up a bit.

Read on for the best and worst moments from the 2025 Oscars.

01of 18

Best: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s Opening Medley

Kevin Winter/Getty

02of 18

Most ‘Ooooohh’: Conan O’Brien’s Karla Sofía Gascon Joke

Kevin Winter/Getty; Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty

When the host introduced her in the audience, Gascon bowed her head and blew a kiss to the stage.

03of 18Most Unfairly Maligned: Adam SandlerPATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via GettyIn his monologue, Conan O’Brien called out Adam Sandler for being underdressed on an evening where everyone from Timothée Chalamet to Michelle Yeoh was wearing a gazillion dollars of diamonds. But any Sandlerophile knows that an Aviator Nation hoodie and basketball shorts is the comedian’s version of black tie. Let the Sandman stay!

03of 18

Most Unfairly Maligned: Adam Sandler

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty

In his monologue, Conan O’Brien called out Adam Sandler for being underdressed on an evening where everyone from Timothée Chalamet to Michelle Yeoh was wearing a gazillion dollars of diamonds. But any Sandlerophile knows that an Aviator Nation hoodie and basketball shorts is the comedian’s version of black tie. Let the Sandman stay!

04of 18Best Night for Kieran Culkin’s Wife’s OBGYNKevin Winter/GettyAfter winning an Emmy in January 2024 forSuccession, Kieran Culkin memorably used his acceptance speech to ask wife Jazz Charton for a third kid. And after winning an Oscar forA Real Painjust over a year later,he went for a four-peat.He recalled their discussion after his Emmy announcement, during which he told her he really wanted four. “She said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar,’ " he recalled. “I held my hand out. She took it, and I have not brought it up once, until just now. You remember that, honey, you do? Okay, then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life…No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again, and let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say?”

04of 18

Best Night for Kieran Culkin’s Wife’s OBGYN

After winning an Emmy in January 2024 forSuccession, Kieran Culkin memorably used his acceptance speech to ask wife Jazz Charton for a third kid. And after winning an Oscar forA Real Painjust over a year later,he went for a four-peat.

He recalled their discussion after his Emmy announcement, during which he told her he really wanted four. “She said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar,’ " he recalled. “I held my hand out. She took it, and I have not brought it up once, until just now. You remember that, honey, you do? Okay, then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life…No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again, and let’s get cracking on those kids. What do you say?”

05of 18Worst Use of the Group Chat: Forgetting to Tell Bowen Yang He Shouldn’t Get in CostumeRich Polk/Penske Media via GettyAs actors from the films nominated for Best Costume Design took the stage, it was clear that Bowen Yang had taken his tribute toWickedcostume designer Paul Tazewell just a smidge farther than the rest of the group. Lily-Rose Depp and John Lithgow both declared the bit “cringe” — but in the end,Wickedtook the win!

05of 18

Worst Use of the Group Chat: Forgetting to Tell Bowen Yang He Shouldn’t Get in Costume

Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty

As actors from the films nominated for Best Costume Design took the stage, it was clear that Bowen Yang had taken his tribute toWickedcostume designer Paul Tazewell just a smidge farther than the rest of the group. Lily-Rose Depp and John Lithgow both declared the bit “cringe” — but in the end,Wickedtook the win!

06of 18

Best Night for Sparkles

Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty (2)

07of 18Worst Night for MascaraKevin Winter/GettyFrom the momentZoe Saldaña took the stage sobbing for “Mamí,“we knew weren’t getting through her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress forEmília Perezwithout a few tears shed of our own. From her heartfelt dedication to her sisters, husband and son to her declaration of pride at being the first Dominican winner and a child of immigrants, there were plenty of opportunities for waterworks at home.Since we’d already gone through half a box of tissues duringAndrew Garfield’s heartfelt tribute to Goldie Hawn, a favorite of his late mom’s, we really were not prepared.

07of 18

Worst Night for Mascara

From the momentZoe Saldaña took the stage sobbing for “Mamí,“we knew weren’t getting through her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress forEmília Perezwithout a few tears shed of our own. From her heartfelt dedication to her sisters, husband and son to her declaration of pride at being the first Dominican winner and a child of immigrants, there were plenty of opportunities for waterworks at home.

Since we’d already gone through half a box of tissues duringAndrew Garfield’s heartfelt tribute to Goldie Hawn, a favorite of his late mom’s, we really were not prepared.

08of 18Best Spring Chicken: Mick JaggerKevin Winter/GettyBob Dylan (whose story was told in the nominated filmA Complete Unknown)passed on the opportunity to present Best Original Song, telling the Academy to find someone younger to do it. That someone younger … was Mick Jagger, who at 81 is a full, spry two years Bob Dylan’s junior.

08of 18

Best Spring Chicken: Mick Jagger

Bob Dylan (whose story was told in the nominated filmA Complete Unknown)passed on the opportunity to present Best Original Song, telling the Academy to find someone younger to do it. That someone younger … was Mick Jagger, who at 81 is a full, spry two years Bob Dylan’s junior.

09of 18Biggest Lie: ‘I Won’t Waste Time’Myung J. Chun/gettyWhen O’Brien brought out the sandworm fromDuneand a dancing Deadpool to assure us the show wouldn’t go long, it was tongue-in-cheek … but when he later told us, about two hours into the show, that we were only halfway through, we had to wonder: Was he playing us all along?! (In the end, the show clocked in a mere 45 minutes longer than its stated 10 p.m. end time.)

09of 18

Biggest Lie: ‘I Won’t Waste Time’

Myung J. Chun/getty

When O’Brien brought out the sandworm fromDuneand a dancing Deadpool to assure us the show wouldn’t go long, it was tongue-in-cheek … but when he later told us, about two hours into the show, that we were only halfway through, we had to wonder: Was he playing us all along?! (In the end, the show clocked in a mere 45 minutes longer than its stated 10 p.m. end time.)

10of 18Best Razzle-Dazzle: Glittering GownsGilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty; Scott Kirkland/Disney via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via GettySo many stars hit the red carpet in high-shine attire that almost looked like armor, including three particular standouts: Selena Gomez in a Ralph Lauren gown sewn with thousands of glass beads, Emma Stone in a rhinestone-embellished Louis Vuitton tank dress and Halle Berry in a shattered-mirror effect Christian Siriano gown.

10of 18

Best Razzle-Dazzle: Glittering Gowns

Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty; Scott Kirkland/Disney via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty

So many stars hit the red carpet in high-shine attire that almost looked like armor, including three particular standouts: Selena Gomez in a Ralph Lauren gown sewn with thousands of glass beads, Emma Stone in a rhinestone-embellished Louis Vuitton tank dress and Halle Berry in a shattered-mirror effect Christian Siriano gown.

11of 18Best Bling: Giant Necklaces on EverybodyGregg DeGuire/Penske Media via Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty(2)Who needs to take home an Oscar when you’ve got hardware like this on your neck? Elle Fanning wore Cartier, Isabella Rossellini selected a striking Bulgari sapphire-and-diamond necklace, Scarlett Johansson wore 74+ carats of De Beers diamonds and Mikey Madison shined in a Tiffany & Co. Archives diamond necklace.

11of 18

Best Bling: Giant Necklaces on Everybody

Gregg DeGuire/Penske Media via Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty(2)

Who needs to take home an Oscar when you’ve got hardware like this on your neck? Elle Fanning wore Cartier, Isabella Rossellini selected a striking Bulgari sapphire-and-diamond necklace, Scarlett Johansson wore 74+ carats of De Beers diamonds and Mikey Madison shined in a Tiffany & Co. Archives diamond necklace.

12of 18

Best Throwback to a Worst Moment: Halle Berry Plants One on Adrian Brody

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty; The Academy/Instagram

13of 18

Most Willing to Test John Lithgow’s Patience: The ‘Emilía Perez’ Songwriters

14of 18Best Case for Pre-Writing Your Speech: Adrien BrodyMyung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via GettyAs far as viral Oscars speech moments go, Adrien Brodytossing his gum to girlfriend Georgina Chapmanis, well, a definite improvement on his Halle Berry kiss — but he didn’t keep that momentum going. Instead, he launched intoa lengthy and somewhat meandering Best Actor acceptance speechfor his role as a Holocaust survivor and architect inThe Brutalist,and commanded the orchestra to stop playing him off, promising “I’ll be brief.“But he then took another few long beats to thank even more people on his list before getting to the point: “I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of anti-semitism and racism and of othering, and I believe and I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”A worthy sentiment that would have been much more impactful if he’d delivered it well before the conductor picked up his baton.

14of 18

Best Case for Pre-Writing Your Speech: Adrien Brody

Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty

As far as viral Oscars speech moments go, Adrien Brodytossing his gum to girlfriend Georgina Chapmanis, well, a definite improvement on his Halle Berry kiss — but he didn’t keep that momentum going. Instead, he launched intoa lengthy and somewhat meandering Best Actor acceptance speechfor his role as a Holocaust survivor and architect inThe Brutalist,and commanded the orchestra to stop playing him off, promising “I’ll be brief.”

But he then took another few long beats to thank even more people on his list before getting to the point: “I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of anti-semitism and racism and of othering, and I believe and I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”

A worthy sentiment that would have been much more impactful if he’d delivered it well before the conductor picked up his baton.

15of 18Best Men Not in Black: Stars Who Opted for Non-Traditional TuxesTodd Williamson/January Images/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock; Gregg DeGuire/Penske Media via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via GettyAnyone can (and does!) look smashing in a black tuxedo. These stars decided to stand out in something entirely different, from Timothée Chalamet’s all-yellow ensemble to Andrew Garfield’s shiny brown shirt to Jeremy Strong’s artichoke-green Loro Piano tux to Colman Domingo’s vibrant cardinal-red dinner jacket.

15of 18

Best Men Not in Black: Stars Who Opted for Non-Traditional Tuxes

Todd Williamson/January Images/Shutterstock; David Fisher/Shutterstock; Gregg DeGuire/Penske Media via Getty; Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty

Anyone can (and does!) look smashing in a black tuxedo. These stars decided to stand out in something entirely different, from Timothée Chalamet’s all-yellow ensemble to Andrew Garfield’s shiny brown shirt to Jeremy Strong’s artichoke-green Loro Piano tux to Colman Domingo’s vibrant cardinal-red dinner jacket.

16of 18Best Use of the LAFD at an Awards Show So FarPATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via GettySincethe devastating L.A. wildfiresat the beginning of January, each awards show has honored the men and women of the L.A. Fire Department in its own way. But the Oscars decided to put the firefighters to work, having them read them some of the jokes O’Brien said he wasn’t brave enough to deliver. “All of our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes,” one deadpanned. “I’m talking about the producers ofJoker 2.“Well, who better to know a sick burn than a firefighter?

16of 18

Best Use of the LAFD at an Awards Show So Far

Sincethe devastating L.A. wildfiresat the beginning of January, each awards show has honored the men and women of the L.A. Fire Department in its own way. But the Oscars decided to put the firefighters to work, having them read them some of the jokes O’Brien said he wasn’t brave enough to deliver. “All of our hearts go out to those who have lost their homes,” one deadpanned. “I’m talking about the producers ofJoker 2.”

Well, who better to know a sick burn than a firefighter?

17of 18

Most Surprising In Memoriam Snubs

18of 18Best Surprise: Anora’s Big NightKevin Winter/GettyMany felt that this was one of the most unpredictable Oscars in a while, but few predicted thatAnorawould take so many of the top categories, includingan upset Best Actress win for Mikey Madisonand the night’s top honor, Best Picture.“One last thing: I wanna thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” director Sean Baker declared in his speech. “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists. Long live independent film.”

18of 18

Best Surprise: Anora’s Big Night

Many felt that this was one of the most unpredictable Oscars in a while, but few predicted thatAnorawould take so many of the top categories, includingan upset Best Actress win for Mikey Madisonand the night’s top honor, Best Picture.

“One last thing: I wanna thank the Academy for recognizing a truly independent film,” director Sean Baker declared in his speech. “This film was made on the blood, sweat and tears of incredible indie artists. Long live independent film.”

source: people.com