There’s a reason the Academy Awards remain Hollywood’s biggest night—it’s not just about the trophies, but the moments that get everyone talking. The 97th annual Oscars delivered on all fronts: from heartfelt speeches to jaw-dropping tributes, political statements to meme-worthy antics.
Conan O’Brien, hosting for the first time, kept the energy high with his sharp wit, while stars on and off the stage ensured this ceremony wouldn’t be forgotten anytime soon.
Whether it was Halle Berry revisiting a scandalous past, Adam Sandler proving comfort is king, or an emotional tribute that left the room in tears, this year’s Oscars had something for everyone.
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Here are the viral moments that had us buzzing long after the credits rolled:
Halle Berry and Adrien Brody Recreate Their Infamous 2003 Kiss
Hally Berry and Adrien Brody at the Oscars 2025 red carpetThe Academy
Two decades later, and some things never change. While Adrien Brody was giving a red carpet interview, Halle Berry sauntered over, grabbed his face, and planted a kiss—instantly transporting everyone back to the 2003 Oscars. That year, Brody had stunned the world by kissing Berry after his Best Actor win for The Pianist—a moment that became both iconic and controversial. Social media exploded with side-by-side comparisons, proving that some Oscar moments truly never fade.
Adam Sandler’s Shorts and Sweatshirt Moment Steals the Show
While Hollywood’s elite dazzled in couture, Adam Sandler reminded everyone why he’s the king of casual. Rocking a hoodie and shorts, he looked more ready for a late-night convenience store run than the biggest night in cinema. Host Conan O’Brien made sure no one missed it, joking, “Adam, you’re dressed like a guy playing video poker at 2 a.m.” Sandler’s deadpan response? “Nobody even thought about what I was wearing until you brought it up.”
Conan O’Brien’s Savage Opening Monologue
Making his Oscars hosting debut, Conan O’Brien didn’t hold back. From AI jokes (“No, we didn’t use AI tonight—we just employ small children”) to roasting Karla Sofía Gascón’s online drama (“Karla, if you’re tweeting about this, my name is Jimmy Kimmel”), he had the audience in stitches. His opening also included a bizarre but oddly amusing dance number featuring Deadpool pirouetting and a Dune sandworm playing Chopsticks on the piano. Was it weird? Yes. Was it memorable? Absolutely.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s Stunning ‘Wicked’ Duet
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform onstage during the 97th Annual OscarsKevin Winter/Getty Images
Before the awards even began, the night kicked off with pure magic. As a tribute to Los Angeles—recovering from devastating wildfires—Ariana Grande delivered a haunting rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", later joined by Cynthia Erivo for a powerful duet. The performance, paired with an emotional montage of LA’s resilience, set a poignant tone for the night.
The ‘No Other Land’ Filmmakers Deliver a Political Speech
One of the evening’s most powerful and politically charged moments came when No Other Land won Best Documentary. The Palestinian-Israeli filmmaking team took the stage and called for an end to “the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people,” urging peace and accountability. They also highlighted the troubling fact that, despite its Oscar win, No Other Land remains without U.S. distribution, making it largely inaccessible to American audiences. The speech was met with both applause and controversy, cementing it as one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
Mick Jagger Presents Best Original Song with a Classic Rolling Stones Quip
The 81-year-old rock legend graced the Oscars stage to present Best Original Song, but not before poking fun at his own longevity. “Bob Dylan didn’t want to do this because he said the best songs are in A Complete Unknown and that they needed someone younger… so here I am,” Jagger quipped. The audience roared, proving that even after six decades in music, Jagger’s wit is still razor-sharp.
Morgan Freeman’s Emotional Tribute to Gene Hackman
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Morgan Freeman took the stage to honour the late Gene Hackman. “Gene told me, ‘I don’t think about legacy, I just hope people remember me as someone who did good work.’” Freeman’s voice cracked as he added, “Gene, you’ll be remembered for that and so much more.” The tribute was a beautiful prelude to the In Memoriam segment, which honoured cinema greats like Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, and Donald Sutherland.
The ‘Wicked’ Watch Nails That Had Everyone Talking
Cynthia Erivo is no stranger to making a fashion statement, but this year, she took it to another level. Her middle finger sported a manicure with an actual working watch embedded in the nail. Yes, a watch. On her nail. The internet, naturally, went wild, with some calling it the most Wicked flex of the night.
A Spectacular James Bond Tribute with Blackpink’s Lisa and Doja Cat
Doja Cat performs onstage during the 97th Annual OscarsKevin Winter/Getty Images
With Amazon now in control of the Bond franchise, the ceremony featured a high-energy tribute to 007. Clips of all 25 Bond films played on screen, followed by performances from Lisa (Live and Let Die), Doja Cat (Diamonds Are Forever), and RAYE (Skyfall). The internet was especially vocal about RAYE’s performance, immediately petitioning for her to sing the next Bond theme.
Daryl Hannah’s ‘Slava Ukraini’ Moment
Before presenting the award for Best Editing, Daryl Hannah took a moment to acknowledge Ukraine, saying “Slava Ukraini!” Her statement was met with a wave of applause, subtly reinforcing Hollywood’s ongoing support for Ukraine amidst the war.
Guy Pearce’s Quiet but Powerful Fashion Statement
While many stars made bold political speeches, The Brutalist actor Guy Pearce let his wardrobe do the talking. His lapel featured a dove-shaped pin with the words “Free Palestine,” a subtle but significant message.
Kieran Culkin Secures His Oscar and a Deal with His Wife
Kieran Culkin accepts the Best Actor In A Supporting Role award for "A Real Pain" onstage during the 97th Annual OscarsKevin Winter/Getty Images
Kieran Culkin’s Best Supporting Actor win for A Real Pain was well-deserved—but his acceptance speech may have been the real highlight. The Succession star revealed that his wife, Jazz Charton, had agreed to have more children if he won an Oscar, not thinking he actually would. “No pressure,” he joked while holding his golden statue. “Let’s get cracking on those kids.”
Timothée Chalamet’s Bold Red Carpet Look
Timothée Chalamet at the 97th Annual OscarsThe Academy
Leave it to Timothée Chalamet to set social media on fire before the show even started. The Dune and A Complete Unknown star arrived in a butter-yellow Givenchy ensemble—cropped jacket, shirt, pants, and all—instantly becoming the night’s most talked-about fashion moment. Love it or hate it, Chalamet knows how to make an entrance.
"Anora" triumphs at the Oscars
Cast and crew accept the Best Picture award for "Anora" onstage during the 97th Annual OscarsKevin Winter/Getty Images
Independent film Anora triumphed at this year's Oscars winning five Oscars, including best picture and best actress. The movie follows an exotic dancer (Mikey Madison) whose whirlwind Vegas marriage to a young Russian heir spirals into a frenzied, high-stakes chase through New York. Director Sean Baker paid tribute to the sex worker community in his first speech of the night. "They have shared their stories, they have shared their life experiences over the years, my deepest respect, I share this with you," he said.
Sean Baker is the first person to ever win four Oscars for the same film in one night.
