Analyzing the Best Director Contenders for the Oscars 2025
The race for Best Director at the upcoming 2025 Oscars is shaping up to be an exciting contest, featuring a mix of celebrated filmmakers who have yet to secure a win in this category and previous winners aiming for another accolade. This year presents a much broader spectrum of nominees compared to 2024, with prominent directors like Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan previously dominating the field. As we approach the awards, the competition appears more open, highlighting not only blockbuster directors but also a plethora of emerging talent carving a niche for themselves in Hollywood.
When it comes to forecasting the five nominees for Best Director, it’s integral to consider the overall Oscars landscape, as all categories are interconnected. The films generating significant buzz for Best Picture, including Anora, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, and others, play a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of directors’ nominations. These heavyweight contenders can elevate their directors’ visibility in the race, making Screen Rant’s predictions for the Best Director nomination and winner particularly informed by their respective film’s prospects.
| Rank | Director | Film |
| 1 | Brady Corbet | The Brutalist |
| 2 | Sean Baker | Anora |
| 3 | Edward Berger | Conclave |
| 4 | Jacques Audiard | Emilia Perez |
| 5 | Coralie Fargeat | The Substance |
The Next Directors In Line
Several Directors Remain in the Running
As we await the Oscar nominations announcement on January 19, 2025, several directors may still enter the nomination arena. Although Robert Zemeckis (Here) and Steve McQueen (Blitz) are past winners, their chances for nominations this year seem slim. Furthermore, Pedro Almodóvar (The Room Next Door) and Pablo Larraín (Maria) are not expected to make the cut, with Ridley Scott’s (Gladiator II) position in the race having weakened considerably.
Directors such as James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), Jon M. Chu (Wicked), Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two), RaMell Ross (Nickel Boys), and Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing) are associated with potential Best Picture nominees, bolstering their chances. While Kwedar lacks notable precursor nominations, Mangold and Ross have gained nominations from the Directors Guild of America and the Critics’ Choice Awards, respectively. Chu also boasts nominations from the Critics’ Choice Awards and a win from the National Board of Review, enhancing his potential.
Villeneuve’s decline this awards season is quite surprising, given his acclaimed work on Dune: Part Two, though he has struggled to gain traction as the season progresses. His nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards and BAFTAs could provide him a lifeline, but Payal Kapadia (All We Imagine as Light) seems to be gaining more momentum with her BAFTA and Golden Globes nods.
Coralie Fargeat – The Substance
Fargeat: A Breakthrough for Women Directors
Coralie Fargeat’s position in the running is noteworthy as she challenges Denis Villeneuve for a place among the top contenders. Following the success of The Substance with both critics and audiences, her film is performing better than anticipated in the awards circuit. Although she may already have lost the Golden Globe, the nomination itself marks a significant achievement, complemented by her BAFTA and Critics’ Choice nominations. Fargeat stands at a promising juncture for a Best Director nod.
Her potential nomination would symbolize the ongoing evolution of the Oscars regarding gender representation. Historically, only eight women have been nominated for Best Director, and just two have taken home the award. Fargeat’s nomination would mark her as the ninth woman nominated, signaling progress in the Academy’s acknowledgment of women in directing roles.
However, predicting a win for Fargeat remains uncertain due to the traditional lack of DGA nominations for female directors that often precedes an Oscar victory. Both she and Villeneuve’s chances have been significantly impacted by this absence. Still, the fact that a female-directed body-horror film could earn an Oscar nomination is a potential cause for celebration and a milestone in its own right.
Jacques Audiard – Emilia Perez
Emilia Pérez: A Strong Contender for Oscars
Having premiered at Cannes and subsequently acquired by Netflix, Emilia Pérez gained traction through screening events at Telluride and Toronto before its streaming service debut in November. Although attention has primarily focused on the film’s three lead actresses, Audiard’s directorial prowess has not escaped recognition, placing him firmly in the Best Director conversation. His innovative approach to genre blending and stellar performances from his cast significantly enhances his candidacy.
While Audiard lacks robust precursor accolades to solidify his spot ahead of stiff competition, his historical relationship with the Academy includes a prior nomination for his film The Prophet in 2010. His current standing displays a broader confidence in Emilia Pérez as a legitimate Oscar contender across numerous categories. With nominations expected from the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and DGA Awards, he remains firmly in contention.
Considered a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña, coupled with Netflix’s backing, which has historically benefited directors such as Jane Campion and Adam McKay, suggests Audiard may have the support necessary for a successful nomination.
Edward Berger – Conclave
Berger’s Academy Recognition
With Conclave receiving widespread acclaim, Edward Berger has emerged significantly in the Best Director race for the 2025 Oscars. Initially an underdog, his film is now positioned prominently, bolstered by its critical reception. Having also nabbed nominations from the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and DGA Awards, Berger is now a strong contender for recognition.
While this would mark his first Best Director nomination, Berger previously secured a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on All Quiet on the Western Front last year, which garnered nine nominations overall, winning four Oscars. Shifting from war films to a religious thriller, he could harness the wave of praise for Conclave toward a nomination in the Best Director category.
Even though Conclave is not expected to win Best Picture, its potential nomination strengthens Berger’s position, as Best Director nominees frequently coincide with Best Picture contenders. This trend has seen the Academy increasingly willing to honor directors outside the Best Picture winners in the past decade.
Sean Baker – Anora
Baker’s Frontrunner Status
Anora is emerging as a frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars 2025, positioning director Sean Baker seriously in the Best Director race. With his previous close calls in awards contention through films such as Tangerine and The Florida Project, Anora might be the breakthrough film that secures him a Director nomination.
Winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes significantly boosts Baker’s chances, as directors of three of the last four Palme d’Or recipients have received Academy nominations. Baker’s film success aligns him with past winners, contributing to the odds of a Best Director win should Anora take home Best Picture.
Recent trends indicate a correlation between the Best Director and Best Picture winners, with three of the last five years reflecting this pattern. With nominations from award outlets across the board, Baker seems poised for a potential Artistic achievement in 2025.
Brady Corbet – The Brutalist
Corbet’s Path to Recognition
Brady Corbet is positioned for his first Oscar nomination with The Brutalist, a demanding historical epic lasting over three hours. Critics’ accolades for managing such a project underscore his skillful direction without overwhelming audiences. Following the successes of directors on similar expansive projects, Corbet has a viable path to an Oscar nod.
Corbet’s status as a frontrunner was solidified by his win of the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, representing a significant achievement against notable competitors. However, it’s important to note that historically, the Silver Lion doesn’t guarantee an Oscar nomination, as only one recipient since 2010 has translated that victory to a Best Director nod.
Despite the unpredictable nature of awards season, Corbet’s accumulated nominations from the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and BAFTA, alongside his Silver Lion achievement, positions him as a compelling frontrunner for the 2025 Best Director Oscar, even if The Brutalist doesn’t clinch the Best Picture title.
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