The 97th Academy Awards are finally here, which means awards season is drawing to a close. But naturally, we couldn't say goodbye without going out with a bang. And at the 2025 Oscars, there was no shortage of viral moments to keep us going and satiated for the year to come.
With Conan O'Brien as the official host of this year's awards, it was inevitable that the evening would be filled with some truly unforgettable comedic moments. It all started with Ariana Grande opening the evening with a mesmerising performance of Over the Rainbow, a homage to her Oscar-nominated role as Glinda in one of the biggest cinema hits of the year, Wicked. Switching from her powder-pink Schiaparelli gown she donned on the red carpet, into a red ballgown silhouette, she captivated the audience before being joined on stage by her co-star Cynthia Erivo who dazzled in a white ball gown featuring a cascading flower detail. And yes, they performed Defying Gravity, and yes, it was amazing. The night truly could have ended there, no notes.
The performance was followed by O'Brien's opening monologue, a part of the evening viewers and guests of the show anticipate (sometimes with bated breathe, in fear of being called out), every year.
"Anora uses the F-word 479 times. That's 3 more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón's publicist."
—Conan O'Brien during his Oscars monologue pic.twitter.com/6oGywtcFKR
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 3, 2025
Below, we've rounded up all the best memes and viral moments from the 2025 Oscars.
Defying Gravity opened the ceremony
Full performance of “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/h9flMlgiVI
— Wicked News Hub (@wickednewshub) March 3, 2025
Adam Sandler's opening monologue fit
O'Brien called out the evening's stricter dress code, which was unveiled earlier this year with a brief callout to Adam Sandler in the crowd, who donned his signature oversized hoodie and shorts for the occassion.
Adam Sandler nos #Oscars #Oscars2025 pic.twitter.com/wSV334cCn1
— Task Movies (@TaskMovies) March 3, 2025
Kieran Culkin's win brings him halway to an EGOT
Culkin's first nomination and first Oscar win brings him halfway to an EGOT (after his Emmy win for Succession).
Kieran Culkin is now halfway to an EGOT. pic.twitter.com/CKDgsSpLgg
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 3, 2025
FLOW becomes first Latvian film and to win an Oscar
FLOW wins Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, becoming the first Latvian film to be nominated and also the first to win. They were also the first independent film to win in the category.
‘FLOW’ wins Best Animated Feature at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/OIyu2sof5v
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) March 3, 2025
Zoe Saldaña gives emotive speech for first Oscar win
Saldaña won her first ever nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Emilia Perez.
Zoe Saldaña is a first-time Oscar winner for her performance in EMILIA PÉREZ.
"I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last!" pic.twitter.com/GRiJ8JV7Mb
— Netflix (@netflix) March 3, 2025
