Oscars 2025: ‘Anora’ Leads Best Picture Race as Hollywood Gears Up for 97th Academy Awards

Hollywood Gears Up for 97th Academy Awards, “Anora” Favored to Win Best Picture

As the 97th Academy Awards approach, Hollywood’s finest are preparing to gather at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles this Sunday. Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the event promises to be a night of glitz, glamour, and cinematic celebration.

Nine films are vying for the coveted Best Picture award, including “The Substance,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Wicked,” and “Emilia Pérez.” However, prediction markets are strongly favoring “Anora” to take home the top prize.

Prediction markets, which allow trading on event outcomes, have gained traction for their accuracy in forecasting various events, including the Oscars. Notable platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, which correctly predicted Trump’s 2024 election win, are both giving “Anora” a 65% chance of winning Best Picture.

On Kalshi, a “Yes” contract for “Anora” winning costs 65 cents, while a “No” contract is priced at 37 cents. Polymarket shows similar figures, with “Yes” at 65 cents and “No” at 36 cents. These markets are increasingly viewed as more accurate than traditional polls due to their adaptability and user investment.

“Anora,” which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024, has already garnered significant acclaim. Its lead actress, Mikey Madison, recently won a BAFTA for Best Leading Actress, further bolstering the film’s Oscar prospects.

Industry insiders are taking note of prediction markets’ potential. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev recently highlighted their forecasting capabilities on a podcast. However, FilmNation Entertainment, the producer of “Anora,” has not commented on the predictions.

As Hollywood prepares for its biggest night, all eyes will be on “Anora” to see if it can live up to the high expectations set by prediction markets. The 97th Academy Awards promise to be an exciting event, with potential surprises and upsets keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.