Death of The Oscars
The Oscars is the pinnacle of Hollywood’s prestige – the gold standard, the event that can make or break cinematic greatness. But in 2025, do these awards still carry that same cultural weight? Ratings and viewership have been steadily declining for years, to the point where viral moments now play a significant role in keeping it afloat. Between the rise of at-home streaming, internet culture and the decline of traditional movie stars, the Oscars seems to be fighting an uphill battle to stay relevant.
Since its debut on television in the 1950s, the Oscars has been a hallmark of American culture and cinema. It was a collective experience for millions of people across the nation: families would gather together in front of TVs, get into arguments over who should’ve won during commercial breaks and cheer for their favorite actors and films. The next day, the Oscars would be the main point of discussion at schools and workplaces. However, post-COVID, viewership took a turn for the worse. Instead of watching the Academy Awards, many people now resort to scrolling through their Twitter and TikTok feeds, waiting for something interesting to happen. The biggest Oscar moments of recent years weren’t the awards or films themselves but the chaos surrounding them. In 2017, all anyone would talk about was the mix up between La La Land and Moonlight for the Best Picture award, and in 2022, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage. The unfortunate reality is that outside of cinephiles and industry insiders, the majority of the public is now focused on “whose outfit was the most egregious” or “who embarrassed themselves this time” rather than who won Best Cinematography.
Another cultural shift that’s pushed the Oscars into old news is the decline of the traditional “movie star.” Hollywood once thrived on the allure of A-listers – these larger-than-life figures who commanded the silver screen and always seemed just a bit out of reach for the rest of society. However, in an era dominated by social media, fame isn’t built on mystique and talent alone. Up-and-coming actors are expected to win the hearts of the public through a meticulously crafted and relatable online presence. Now, a passionate Letterboxd review might generate more discourse online and create more impact than an Oscar win. Being culturally relevant or a smash hit is the new goal for many filmmakers, and it’s evident in their lack of originality and decision to go for the “safe” route in cinema. Remakes and sequels are becoming more and more oversaturated in the film industry. It’s the same for actors and actresses as well. Forget about new talent; if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. At this point, it feels like every major movie stars the same actors: Jacob Elordi, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, or all of them at once. Would it hurt to switch things up?
An Oscars win just doesn’t carry the same weight that it used to. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ are convenient alternatives to taking a trip to the box office, where getting an Oscar would have made the most difference in sales. Smaller indie films are taking the biggest hit because of this. They once were the classic “Oscar nominee” films, but in the wake of streaming services, they have had a hard time finding an audience outside of film festivals and niche streaming platforms.
Maybe the Oscars will change in the future. Maybe they’ll try to appeal to younger audiences, or they’ll grasp even more tightly to their notion of prestige. They have certainly tried to keep up with modern times by expanding membership and amplifying more diverse voices, and it’s safe to say that the film industry is ever growing. But for now, it seems like Hollywood’s biggest night is just living off of borrowed time.
Written by Jennifer Le, Photography: Mary Le, Social Media: Clara Valkoun, Styling: Sheyla Hidalgo,