Oscars 2025 Shortlists Revealed: Cinematography, International Feature, Casting, VFX, Song & Score
Hey movie lovers! It's that exciting time of year again – the Academy has just dropped the shortlists for several key Oscar categories, and I'm buzzing. These are the contenders that made the cut before the final nominations in January, and they're already giving us major clues about who's in the running for gold. As someone who's been obsessively tracking the 2025 awards season, I had to round them all up in one spot. From stunning visuals to heartbreaking international stories and those earworm songs, here's everything you need to know. Let's dive in – and tell me in the comments which ones you're rooting for!
Best Cinematography Shortlist
The visuals this year are next-level! This shortlist is packed with films that look absolutely gorgeous on screen – think sweeping epics, moody thrillers, and innovative camera work that blew me away.
The Oscars shortlist for Best Cinematography:
• Bugonia
• Die My Love
• F1
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• Nouvelle Vague
• One Battle after Another
• Sentimental Value
• Sinners
• Sirât
• Song Sung Blue
• Sound of Falling
• Train Dreams
• Wicked: For Good
See also: One Battle After Another (2025) – PTA’s Wild, Messy, Revolutionary Ride Through America’s Ghosts
Best International Feature Film Shortlist
One of my favorite categories every year. These 15 films represent the best of world cinema, from emotional dramas to bold political stories. So many hidden gems here that deserve all the attention.
The Oscars shortlist for Best International Feature:
• Argentina, Belén
• Brazil, The Secret Agent
• France, It Was Just an Accident
• Germany, Sound of Falling
• India, Homebound
• Iraq, The President’s Cake
• Japan, Kokuho
• Jordan, All That’s Left of You
• Norway, Sentimental Value
• Palestine, Palestine 36
• South Korea, No Other Choice
• Spain, Sirât
• Switzerland, Late Shift
• Taiwan, Left-Handed Girl
• Tunisia, The Voice of Hind Rajab
Best Casting Shortlist (First-Ever!)
History in the making! This is the inaugural year for the Casting award, and the shortlist highlights perfect ensembles that feel lived-in and unforgettable. Casting directors finally getting their flowers – love to see it.
The first-ever Oscars shortlist for the Best Casting award has been released:
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle after Another
• The Secret Agent
• Sentimental Value
• Sinners
• Sirât
• Weapons
• Wicked: For Good
Best Visual Effects Shortlist
Big spectacle season! From massive blockbusters to creative creature designs, these 10 films pushed the boundaries of what's possible on screen. If you love jaw-dropping VFX, this list is pure eye candy.
The Oscars shortlist for Best Visual Effects:
• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• The Electric State
• F1
• Frankenstein
• Jurassic World: Rebirth
• The Lost Bus
• Sinners
• Superman
• Tron: Ares
• Wicked: For Good
Best Original Song Shortlist
The songs that have been stuck in my head all year. This category always delivers emotional bangers and show-stoppers – Wicked and Sinners showing up strong, but there are some surprising contenders too.
The Oscars shortlist for Best Original Song:
• “As Alive As You Need Me To Be”, Tron: Ares
• “Dear Me”, Diane Warren: Relentless
• “Dream As One”, Avatar: Fire and Ash
• “Drive”, F1
• Dying To Live”, Billy Idol Should Be Dead
• “The Girl In The Bubble”, Wicked: For Good
• “Golden”, KPOP Demon Hunters
• “Highest 2 Lowest”, Highest 2 Lowest
• “I Lied To You”, Sinners
• “Last Time (I Seen The Sun)”, Sinners
• “No Place Like Home”, Wicked: For Good
• “Our Love”, The Ballad of Wallis Island
• “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet”, Come See Me in the Good Light
• “Sweet Dreams Of Joy”, Viva Verdi!
• “Train Dreams”, Train Dreams
Best Original Score Shortlist
The Oscars shortlist for Best Original Score:
• Bugonia
• Captain America: Brave New World
• Diane Warren: Relentless
• F1
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Hedda
• A House of Dynamite
• Jay Kelly
• Marty Supreme
• Nuremberg
• One Battle after Another
• Sinners
• Sirât
• Train Dreams
• Tron: Ares
• Truth and Treason
• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
• Wicked: For Good
There you have it – the full Oscars 2025 shortlists for these categories! Seeing the overlaps (Frankenstein, Sinners, Hamnet, and Wicked everywhere) already feels like foreshadowing for nomination morning. I'm already planning my watchlist to catch up on anything I missed. Which shortlist surprised you the most? Drop your predictions below – I can't wait for the nominations!
