2025 Oscars odds: Betting predictions and tips for the 97th Academy Awards

THE 97th Academy Awards are just around the corner, and it is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable Oscar ceremonies in recent memories.

Unlike the 2024 Oscars, several major races are wide open heading into the final stretch, with the battle between Anora and The Brutalist for Best Picture taking many turns in the last few months. As such, the betting opportunities for the ceremony are massive, especially with free bet offers from bookmakers we list here.

In this Oscars betting and tips guide, I’m going to take a deep dive into all of this year’s Oscars odds and provide my picks for the big night. 

Best Picture predictions 

The 2025 Best Picture race has been one of the most exciting in recent memory, with the favourite position changing multiple times throughout the awards season. Let’s take a more detailed look at the frontrunners. 

Best Picture odds 

The following are the current Best Picture odds with bet365: 

• Anora – 4/11 
• The Brutalist – 4/1
• Conclave 11/2
• A Complete Unknown – 28/1
• Emilia Perez – 50/1
• Wicked – 50/1
• The Substance – 100/1
• Nickel Boys – 100/1
• I’m Still here – 100/1
• Dune: Part Two – 100/1

Anora – 4/11 

Rewind a month and Anora’s Best Picture chances were dead in the water. After being shut out at the Golden Globes, the film appeared to have lost all momentum, with its only hope being a Best Actress win. However, a win at the Producers Guild Awards and the Critics Choice Awards has swung the momentum firmly back in its favour. The Producers Guild has backed the Best Picture winner for five of the last six years, including upset winners like CODA and Green Book. This late surge has seen Anora become the favourite. 

Bet on Anora to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 4/11 with bet365

The Brutalist 4/1

Brady Corbet’s towering epic The Brutalist was a clear frontrunner until Anora’s recent insurgence and its odds have now drifted out to 4/1 with bet365. The film has swept up most of the major awards, including the Best Picture Drama award at the Golden Globes. While its momentum has stalled significantly, I think it still offers fantastic value and is worth a punt at 4/1. 

Bet on The Brutalist to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 4/1 with bet365

Conclave – 11/2 

Concalve’s Best Film win at the BAFTAs has boosted the odds, but I would be cautious about backing it off the back of this. BAFTA love to award British movies with their top prize, take a look at All Quiet on the Western Front in 2023, 1917 in 2019, or even further back – Atonement and The Queen in 2007 and 2006. While I’m not saying Conclave can’t win, I would be surprised to see it collecting Best Picture at the end of the night. 

Bet on Conclave to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 11/2 with bet365

A Complete Unknown – 28/1 

A Complete Unknown’s presence in the awards race has been a strange one, with the bulk of its campaign focusing on Timothee Chalamet’s performative red carpet appearances. While it has been one of the more commercially successful nominees, its chances to win are virtually non-existent, as is reflected in its 28/1 odds. 

Bet on A Complete Unknown to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 28/1 with bet365

Emilia Perez – 50/1

Emilia Perez is almost a masterclass in how to throw away your awards momentum. The film was closing in on The Brutalist and Anora until resurfaced tweets from its lead, Karla Sofía Gascón, completely derailed its chances. This was available around the 7/1 mark at the end of January, so it’s clear from its odds of 50/1 now the impact this has had. Do I think it’s still worth a flutter? A month ago, I’d have said yes, but now, I think it’s race is run. 

Bet on Emilia Perez to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 50/1 with bet365

Wicked – 50/1

Despite some early buzz, Wicked has not been able to sustain any real awards-threat. It’s a shame because the movie is absolutely fantastic. That said, it is not likely to leave empty-handed and will pick up awards in the night’s technical categories. It will then no doubt return to the Best Picture race with Wicked: For Good next year

Bet on Wicked to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 50/1 with bet365

The Substance – 100/1

The Substance has been the big surprise in this year’s award race. Coralie Fargeat’s body horror was on nobody’s radar a couple of months ago, but it has steadily built momentum and it will be delighted to even be nominated. While I would love to see it win, it has next to no chance, as is reflected in its odds of 100/1 with bet365. 

Bet on The Substance to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 100/1 with bet365

Nickel Boys – 100/1

RaMell Ross’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Nickel Boys had experienced a pretty quiet awards season until it snagged itself a Best Picture nomination. The film’s powerful theme and unique first-person point-of-view style make it well worth a watch, but it is not likely to cause any upsets, as reflected in its 100/1 odds with bet365

Bet on Nickel Boys to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 100/1 with bet365

I’m Still Here – 100/1

Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here was another welcome surprise in this year’s Best Picture list. The Brazilian biopic has no realistic chance of winning the gold, but it’s good to see The Academy shining a light on a film that would have gone largely unnoticed by American and British audiences otherwise. 

Bet on I’m Still Here to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 100/1 with bet365

Dune: Part Two – 100/1

Much like its predecessor, Dune: Part Two will be competitive in the technical categories but is not going to cause any significant upsets on the night. Still, it’s a testament to the year Timothee Chalamet has had that he finds himself in two Best Picture nominees. 

Bet on Dune: Part Two to win an Oscar for Best Picture at 100/1 with bet365

Best Director predictions

Like the Best Picture field, the Best Director race is hotting up, with the favourite position changing every week as the ceremony gets closer. Let’s analyse the nominees and see who has the best chance of winning on the night. 

Best Director odds 

The following are the current Best Director odds with BetMGM 

• Sean Baker (Anora) – 3/5
• Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) – 6/5
• Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez) – 20/1
• Coralie Fargeat (The Substance) – 25/1 
• James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) – 25/1

Sean Baker (Anora) 3/5

As I’ve already explored in this Oscars odds and betting preview, Anora has regained significant momentum since its Producer’s Guild win. Sean Baker is now leading the market to win Best Director, with BetMGM pricing him at 3/5. It is worth considering that this would be the first of the major awards Baker will have won, with both BAFTA and the Golden Globes giving their awards to Brady Corbet. 

Bet on Sean Baker to win an Oscar for Best Director at 3/5 with BetMGM

Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) 6/5

Brady Corbet has emerged from seemingly nowhere as one of Hollywood’s most prominent creative forces with The Brutalist. Corbet’s previous two movies, the Childhood of a Leader and Vox Lux, were largely unseen, but people will certainly know he is after this year.

He was the frontrunner in this category for the bulk of this awards season and has already won the Globe and BAFTA for Best Director. While the Producer’s Guild win for Anora seems to have turned the race away from Corbet, he still offers magnificent value at 6/5 with BetMGM. 

Bet on Brady Corbet to win an Oscar for Best Director at 6/5 with BetMGM

Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez) 20/1

Like Emilia Perez itself, Jacques Audiard’s chances of a major award win have been seriously derailed in recent weeks. Audiard was seen as a serious challenger to the two previously mentioned directors, but he has now drifted out to 20/1. This could be worth monitoring if he can regain any ground in the coming weeks, but it seems highly unlikely. If anything, I expect him to drift further out. 

However, Emilia Perez has had one of the wildest award seasons I can remember, so anything is possible. 

Bet on Jacques Audiard to win an Oscar for Best Director at 20/1 with BetMGM

Coralie Fargeat (The Substance) 25/1

It’s absolutely fantastic to see Coralie Fargeat recognised by the Academy for her work on The Substance.  Unfortunately, this is as much recognition as she is likely to get, with her price sitting at 25/1 for a reason. 

Bet on Coralie Fargeat to win an Oscar for Best Director at 25/1 with BetMGM

James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) 25/1

Despite having picked up multiple Best Picture and Screenplay awards in the past, James Mangold had never been nominated for Best Director. He broke that streak with A Complete Unknown, but he will probably have to wait a little longer till he wins one, sitting at 25/1 with BetMGM. 

Bet on James Mangold to win an Oscar for Best Director at 25/1 with BetMGM

Best Actress predictions

Unlike previous years, this year’s Best Actress race is wide open coming into the night, with the Hollywood old-guard going up against new and emerging talent with Demi Moore and Mikey Madison being the clear frontrunners. Let’s look at all of the nominees in a little more detail. 

Best Actress odds 

The following are the current Best Actress odds with CopyBet: 

• Demi Moore (The Substance) – 8/13
• Mikey Madison (Anora) – 13/10
• Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) – 12/1
• Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) – 33/1 
• Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Perez) – 33/1 

Demi Moore (The Substance) 8/13

Demi Moore is an actress who is more than due her flowers, and it looks as though she is finally going to get them for her terrifyingly brilliant performance in The Substance. As I have mentioned elsewhere in this guide, the movie’s chances of landing a big win in other departments are extremely slim, so its hopes rest solely on Moore’s shoulders. She is available at 8/13 with CopyBet. 

Bet on Demi Moore to win an Oscar for Best Actress at 8/13 with CopyBet

Mikey Madison (Anora) 13/10

Until Demi Moore burst into the awards race at the end of 2024, Mikey Madison was the clear frontrunner in this category. Given Anora’s renewed attention in the major categories and her win at the BAFTAs, I think Mikey Madison could be well worth a punt at 13/10 with CopyBet. 

Bet on Mikey Madison to win an Oscar for Best Actress at 13/10 with CopyBet

Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here) 12/1

I’m Still Here has been one of the biggest surprises of this year’s award race, and it is the perfect vehicle to showcase Fernanda Torres’ acting range. Unfortunately, she is in one of the most tightly contested categories at this year’s show and is not likely to gatecrash the top two. 

Bet on Fernanda Torres to win an Oscar for Best Actress at 12/1 with CopyBet

Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) 33/1

Cynthia Erivo gave one of the year’s most iconic performances as Elpheba in Wicked, but the movie’s weak awards campaign has seen her fail to build any momentum coming into the Academy Awards. She is out at 33/1 with CopyBet. 

Bet on Cynthia Erivo to win an Oscar for Best Actress at 33/1 with CopyBet

Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Perez) 33/1

There’s no escaping the drama around Karla Sofía Gascón and Emilia Perez. What could have been one of the night’s feel-good stories has turned into one of its biggest controversies. Of course, Gascón’s chances of taking home the Best Actress award have all but disappeared, as you can see from her 33/1 odds with CopyBet. 

Bet on Karla Sofía Gascón to win an Oscar for Best Actress at 33/1 with CopyBet

Best Actor predictions

With Anora not having a horse in the Best Actor race, the Brutalist’s most significant chance of a major award comes in the category. Let’s look at Adrian Brody’s chances and those of his competitors. 

Best Actor odds 

The following are the current Best Actor odds with bet365: 

• Adrian Brody (The Brutalist) – 4/11
• Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) – 9/4
• Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) – 12/1
• Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) – 25/1 
• Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) – 25/1 

Adrian Brody (The Brutalist) 4/11

Adrian Brody gives a performance for the ages as László Tóth in The Brutalist and is more than deserving of securing his Best Actor award. Outside of a bit of controversy surrounding the use of AI for some voice editing, Brody has had an incredibly strong campaign, picking up every major award on the way to the ceremony. You can back him at 4/11 with bet365. 

Bet on Adrian Brody to win an Oscar for Best Actor at 4/11 with bet365

Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) 9/4

Timothee Chalamet has certainly been the man of the moment in recent years, and there is certainly a chance he will pull off an upset at the Oscars. Two things work in his favour: first, he would be the youngest-ever Best Actor winner, which gives the show a feel-good story, and two, the Academy loves a biopic performance. Fittingly, he would also take the youngest actor title from Brody, who won at 29 years old for The Pianist. At 9/4 with bet365, he could be worth a flutter. 

Bet on Timothee Chalamet to win an Oscar for Best Actor at 9/4 with bet365

Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) 12/1

Ralph Fiennes is one of the best living actors to have never won Best Actor, having only been nominated in the category once in the past. As much as I would love to see him finally get his credit at this year’s Oscars, his chances appear to have slipped away, with Brody and Chalamet pulling clear in the race. He is now out at 12/1, having once been considered the favourite. 

Bet on Ralph Fiennes to win an Oscar for Best Actor at 12/1 with bet365

Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) 25/1

Speaking of former favourites, it seems crazy to think there was a time, only a few short months back, when Sing Sing was considered a favourite for Best Picture. The movie’s momentum went off a cliff, with its lead star, Colman Domingo, grabbing its only major nomination. Notably, it is his second consecutive nomination after he received a nod for his performance in Rustin last year. Unfortunately for him, the outcome is likely to be the same again, with bet365 pricing him at 25/1. 

Bet on Colman Domingo to win an Oscar for Best Actor at 25/1 with bet365

Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) 25/1

Sebastian Stan had a critically acclaimed year in 2024, earning plaudits for his masterful performances in The Apprentice and A Different Man. While his chances of winning for his fantastic performance as Donald Trump are incredibly slim, it’s been brilliant to see him exercising his acting chops and getting the plaudits he deserves. 

Bet on Sebastian Stan to win an Oscar for Best Actor at 25/1 with bet365

Best Supporting Actress predictions

Unlike the lead acting categories, the Best Supporting Actress category looks like a foregone conclusion, with Zoe Saldana set to pick up the award in what is likely to be an otherwise long night for Emilia Perez. 

Best Supporting Actress odds 

The following are the current Best Supporting Actress odds with BetMGM: 

• Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez) – 1/16 
• Ariana Grande (Wicked) – 7/1 
• Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) – 16/1 
• Isabella Rosalini (Conclave) – 18/1
• Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown) – 33/1

Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez) 1/16

Despite the controversy surrounding Emilia Perez, Zoe Saldana has still managed to pick up every major award on the way to the Oscars and is the strong favourite to take home the iconic statuette on March 3rd. She is available at 1/16 with BetMGM. 

Bet on Zoe Saldana to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at 1/16 with BetMGM

Ariana Grande (Wicked) 7/1

Ariana Grande surprised everyone with her scene-stealing performance as Glinda in Wicked. The singer was widely praised for her performance and will no doubt be making another appearance in this category in 12 months’ time. She will probably have to wait until then to have a serious chance of winning, though, with Saldana being one of the night’s biggest favourites. 

Bet on Ariana Grande to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at 7/1 with BetMGM

Felicity Jones (The Brutalist) 16/1

There’s a scene late on in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist where Felicity Jones threatens to steal the show from everybody. Her powerful performance as Erzsébet Tóth provides the film with its emotional anchor, and in any other year, she would be a strong favourite. As it stands, though, she is out at 16/1 with BetMGM. 

Bet on Felicity Jones to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at 16/1 with BetMGM

Isabella Rosellini (Conclave) 18/1

Isabella Rosellini’s screen time in Conclave is fairly limited, but she certainly makes every minute count. Astonishingly, this is the scene-stealing Italian’s first Academy Award nomination. While her chances of winning are virtually non-existent, it’s fantastic to finally see her getting some recognition. 

Bet on Isabella Rosellini to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at 18/1 with BetMGM

Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown) 33/1

Monica Barbaro’s screen-stealing performance as Joan Baez is one of the best things in A Complete Unknown. However, it will not be enough to secure her first major awards win, as you can see from her 33/1 odds with BetMGM. 

Bet on Monica Barbaro to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at 33/1 with BetMGM

Best Supporting Actor predictions

Like The Best Supporting Actress category, this one is all but over. It would take a significant shock or breaking news to ruin Kieran Culkin’s chances of winning. Still, let’s take a look at the Best Supporting Actor odds and see who is competing on the night. 

Best Supporting Actor odds 

The following are the current Best Supporting Actor odds with CopyBet:

• Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) – 1/20 
• Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown) – 10/1 
• Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) – 20/1 
• Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) – 20/1 
• Yura Borisov (Anora) – 20/1 

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) 1/20

Like Zoe Saldana in the Best Supporting Actor category, Kieran Culkin has won this race. He earned critical acclaim for playing a troubled man-child in Succession and has now done the same in the movies, sitting at 1/20 to win Best Supporting Actor for his performance in A Real Pain. 

Bet on Kieran Culkin to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at 1/20 with CopyBet

Edward Norton (A Complete Unknown) 10/1

Is there any chance of Edward Norton upsetting Kieran Culkin on the night thanks to his performance as Pete Seeger in A Complete Unknown? Almost definitely not. A Complete Unknown sits second in several markets, but its chance of taking home any big prizes is slim. 

Bet on Edward Norton to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at 10/1 with CopyBet

Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) 20/1

Guy Pearce is an absolute force of nature alongside Adrian Brody in The Brutalist. Unfortunately, his performance has been largely shut out of this year’s awards races due to Culkin’s dominance in the category. Amazingly, this is Pearce’s first-ever Oscar nomination. However, it is doubtful it will amount to more than that, as you can see from his 20/1 odds with CopyBet. 

Bet on Guy Pearce to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at 20/1 with CopyBet

Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice) 20/1

Another Succession star who has managed to bag an Oscar nod for his first significant role away from the series. It looks as though Jeremy Strong will have to take a backseat to his former on-screen younger brother this time around, though. He is available at 20/1 with CopyBet. 

Bet on Jeremy Strong to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at 20/1 with CopyBet

Yura Borisov (Anora) 20/1

The Oscars are shaping up to be a massive night for Anora, but Yura Borisov will likely have to celebrate from the sidelines as his colleagues pick up all of the accolades. The role was a breakthrough for Borisov, though, and we will hopefully see more of him in the future. 

Bet on Yura Borisov to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at 20/1 with CopyBet

97th Academy Awards verdict

The 2025 Academy Awards is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in recent memory. While the 2024 version was dominated by Oppenheimer, the 2025 race could go a number of ways, making it one of the best Academy Awards ceremonies to bet on in recent memory. 

The top four categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress, have seen so many shifts in odds over the last couple of months that there could be excellent value in betting on second favourites, especially where The Brutalist and Anora are concerned, with the two movies battling it across the categories. 

There are other categories you can bet on through the night. However, many of them, such as Best Animated Movie, Best Film Not in the English Language, and Best Documentary, all feel like foregone conclusions and do not offer much value. 

Be sure to check in with The Sun and our award coverage to keep up to date with all of the twists and turns that will no doubt take place in the final few weeks before the ceremony. 

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