The Critics Choice Awards have once again taken center stage as the 2025 ceremony unfolded on February 7, 2025, at Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, with the event marking its 30th anniversary and hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler for the third consecutive year. After two delays caused by wildfires, excitement was palpable as nominees and attendees gathered to honor the standout achievements of the past year.
This year, ‘Anora,’ directed by Sean Baker, remarkably clinched the coveted Best Picture award against stiff competition. Initially coming to the event with seven nominations, the film's win came as a delightful surprise during the evening’s final awards announcements. “There’s something about this moment. It feels like we’re more united than ever through the stories we tell.” remarked Baker, underscoring the film’s acclaim following its triumph at the Cannes Film Festival.
Best Actor went to Adrien Brody for his role in ‘The Brutalist,’ marking his return to recognition after years of esteemed performances. Following closely, Demi Moore was celebrated as Best Actress for her moving portrayal in ‘The Substance.’ The actress dedicated her win by saying, “I hope our world is too beautiful to be any other way,” channeling her hopes for the impact of her work on audiences everywhere.
Jon M. Chu’s ‘Wicked’ was another highlight of the evening, having garnered 11 nominations, and netted three awards including Best Director. Winning over elite contenders like Coralie Fargeat and Jacques Audiard, Chu expressed his gratitude on stage, “I feel very privileged to share stories to the world with you all,” signaling the emotional gravity of his work and the dreams he chased since childhood.
The diversity of nominees this year was not just limited to feature films. The FX and Hulu series ‘Shōgun’ swept the television categories with four wins, including Best Drama Series and individual acting awards for Hiroyuki Sanada and Moeka Hoshi. Sanada continued his winning streak from last summer’s Emmys, shared heartfelt gratitude, stating, “The characters we embody bring voices to silent stories.”
The awards ceremony also celebrated ensemble performances with ‘Conclave’ taking home the Best Ensemble trophy and noting the creative teamwork at its helm. Notably, the awards recognized newcomers like Maisy Stella as Best Young Actor for her performance in ‘My Old Ass’ and emphasized the importance of fresh talents invigorated through these accolades.
While ‘Anora’ triumphed, it should be noted the awards distribution was commendably broad across various productions. ‘Emilia Pérez’ and ‘The Substance’ each secured three awards, showcasing strong competition this year. ‘Emilia Pérez’, marred by controversy surrounding its star Karla Sofía Gascón, continued to shine nonetheless, earning awards for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña, the latter expressing hope for compassion and curiosity through her film.
Handler, who opened the ceremony with remarks about the recent wildfires and their impacts, noted the commendable presence of first responders through her humorous yet heartfelt opening monologue. “My God, we’re lucky to be here tonight,” she quipped, effectively warming the audience's mood for the night of celebration.
While the Critics Choice Awards have historically been seen as reliable predictors for the Academy Awards, this year, the outcomes introduce slightly unpredictable dynamics as we edge closer to the Oscars on March 2, 2025. With awards shared across various projects, the groundwork sets the stage for more exciting developments as both productions and performances continue to evolve.
Below is the complete list of winners from the 2025 Critics Choice Awards:
Best Picture: Anora
Best Actor: Adrien Brody – The Brutalist
Best Actress: Demi Moore – The Substance
Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez
Best Director: Jon M. Chu – Wicked
Best Drama Series: Shōgun
Best Comedy Series: Hacks
Best Young Actor/Actress: Maisy Stella – My Old Ass
The ceremony not only showcased individual brilliance but also reaffirmed the rich diversity and collective talent of the film and television industry as it gears up for many more award seasons to come.