The 30th Critics Choice Awards Nominations: A Complete Guide To The Biggest Snubs And Frontrunners Of The 2025 Race
The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards nominations, announced in December 2024, have officially set the stage for one of the most exciting awards seasons in recent memory. This year's list, unveiled by the Critics Choice Association (CCA), immediately established a clear hierarchy for both the big screen and television, with a few surprising snubs and welcome additions shaking up the traditional awards narrative. With the ceremony scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025, the race is now in full swing, highlighting a diverse array of cinematic and episodic excellence.
The nominations, which were announced in two waves—Television on December 5, 2024, and Film on December 12, 2024—cemented a few major projects as the season's definitive frontrunners. On the film side, the adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked and the dramatic thriller Conclave led the charge, while the FX/Hulu epic Shōgun dominated the television categories. The sheer volume of high-quality content recognized proves that 2024 was a banner year for both cinema and streaming platforms.
The Dominators: Film and Television Leaders for the 30th Critics Choice Awards
The film categories saw a tight race at the top, with two major titles locking in a staggering number of nominations. Both the musical spectacle Wicked and the political thriller Conclave secured eleven nominations each, signaling their broad appeal across acting, technical, and directing categories. This dual dominance suggests a head-to-head battle for Best Picture and several acting trophies at the February 7, 2025, gala, which will be held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport.
Hot on their heels were Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two and Jacques Audiard's musical crime drama Emilia Pérez, both of which earned ten nominations, demonstrating significant critical acclaim for large-scale blockbusters and international features alike. The strength of these films showcases the CCA’s commitment to recognizing both box office success and artistic ambition.
On the television side, the historical drama Shōgun emerged as the undisputed leader, securing six total nominations, including the highly coveted nod for Best Drama Series. This impressive haul reflects the critical consensus around its masterful storytelling and stunning production value. Several other series also performed exceptionally well, each earning four nominations, including the comedies Abbott Elementary and Hacks, and the limited series Disclaimer and The Penguin.
Key Film Nominations: A Battle of Blockbusters and Indies
The Best Picture category is packed with a mix of established franchises and critically adored independent films. The full list of nominees provides a comprehensive look at the year's cinematic landscape, from high-budget spectacles to intimate character studies. The competition remains fierce, with no single film being a guaranteed winner.
- Best Picture Nominees: Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing, and The Substance.
- Best Director Nominees: The field includes heavy hitters such as Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger, and Jon M. Chu for Wicked. The inclusion of Jon M. Chu is a notable acknowledgment of the technical and artistic achievement of the musical adaptation.
- Best Actor Nominees: Early contenders include Adrien Brody for his role in The Brutalist and Timothée Chalamet for his portrayal in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. The breadth of performances recognized highlights the depth of talent this year.
- Best Actress Nominees: Cynthia Erivo earned a major nomination for her performance in Wicked, positioning her as a strong contender in a highly competitive category.
The nominations for Wicked extend beyond the major categories, with recognition for Best Adapted Screenplay (Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox) and Best Cinematography (Alice Brooks), underscoring the film’s comprehensive technical excellence.
The Television Landscape: Drama, Comedy, and Limited Series Showdowns
The television categories reflect the continued Golden Age of TV, with a mix of returning favorites and groundbreaking new content. The Critics Choice Awards have historically been a strong predictor for the Emmy Awards, making these nominations particularly significant for the industry. The 30th anniversary ceremony, hosted by the returning Chelsea Handler, promises to be a star-studded event celebrating these achievements.
The Best Drama Series category is a showcase of high-stakes storytelling. The six nominations for Shōgun, including the series nod, solidify its status as a major cultural phenomenon. It faces tough competition from other critically acclaimed dramas, including the Apple TV+ espionage thriller Slow Horses.
The Best Comedy Series category features a mix of beloved veterans and new hits. The nominees include the perennial favorite Hacks, the mockumentary Abbott Elementary, and the vampire satire What We Do in the Shadows. The inclusion of the political dramedy The Diplomat and the DC Comics spin-off The Penguin in various categories further demonstrates the genre-blending nature of modern television.
The Limited Series category is equally competitive, with the Netflix hit Baby Reindeer and the psychological thriller Disclaimer being among the projects fighting for the top spot. Performances in these series are also highly lauded, with Kristen Wiig earning a Best Actress in a Comedy Series nomination, highlighting the strong female performances across all genres.
Analysis: The Biggest Snubs and Surprises of the 2025 Critics Choice Nominees
No awards announcement is complete without a discussion of who was left out and who unexpectedly made the cut. The 30th Critics Choice Awards nominations delivered a few genuine shocks that are now driving the awards conversation among critics and fans alike. This year’s selections indicate a slight shift in the CCA’s taste, favoring certain types of ambitious filmmaking.
One of the most talked-about surprises was the strong performance of films like Anora, which managed to land a Best Picture nomination and a Best Director nod for Sean Baker. This scrappy dramedy’s success against much larger studio fare is a testament to its critical momentum.
Conversely, there were some notable omissions that have been termed "snubs" by industry analysts. While certain directors like Edward Berger and Jacques Audiard made the cut, the absence of expected nominations for some major stars and highly anticipated films in key categories has fueled debate. The competitive nature of this year's Best Picture and Best Actor races meant that several deserving contenders were inevitably left out.
The nominations also highlight the growing influence of international cinema, with films like Emilia Pérez and its director Jacques Audiard receiving major recognition. This trend mirrors a broader shift in the industry toward celebrating global talent and diverse cinematic voices.
Looking Ahead: Who Will Win the 30th Critics Choice Awards?
As the awards ceremony approaches on February 7, 2025, the race remains wide open in many categories. The sheer number of nominations for Conclave and Wicked positions them as strong frontrunners for Best Picture, but the unexpected critical success of Anora and the technical brilliance of Dune: Part Two make them serious threats. The film The Substance has also earned key nominations, setting the stage for potential upsets.
In the television arena, Shōgun is the clear favorite to take home Best Drama Series, but strong performances from other contenders mean its victory is not guaranteed. The Critics Choice Awards are known for their ability to reward critically daring choices, often paving the way for future wins at other major ceremonies. With the full list of nominees now officially announced, the next few weeks will be filled with campaigning and speculation, leading up to the final, highly anticipated gala event.
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