The Meter is back, and Buzzier than ever! Our BuzzMeter experts in film and general awards-season nerdiness have given us their picks for what they believe will be in contention — or deserves some attention — at the 2025 Academy Awards. Caveat emptor: Some films our panelists pick to get in the race haven’t yet been released to the public. That hasn’t stopped our stalwart insiders from viewing them and preferentially voting in 10 Oscar categories (most points for most likely, or most hoped for, to succeed) for your prognosticating pleasure.
We call Round 1 the “Buzzy” round because it mixes what the panelists predict will tickle voters with what they hope will — it’s kind of a Buzzy viewing guide. In Round 2, they’ll predict the Oscar nominations. In Round 3, they’ll pick the winners.
See all their picks for Round 1 below. 1. “Anora” 2.
“Emilia Pérez” 3. “The Brutalist” 4. (tie) “Conclave” 4.
(tie) “Blitz” 4. (tie) “Dune: Part Two” 7. “All We Imagine as Light” 8.
“Nickel Boys” 9. (tie) “A Complete Unknown” 9. (tie) “The Room Next Door” 9.
(tie) “Gladiator II” 12. “A Real Pain” 13. (tie) “September 5” 13.
(tie) “The Piano Lesson” 15. “Challengers” 16. (tie) “A Complete Unknown” 16.
(tie) “Juror #2” 18.(tie) “Sing Sing” 18.(tie) “Wicked” 19.
“Here” This early in awards season, with many possible contenders yet to screen, 22 films get best-picture votes from the panel. However, .