Highlights and Surprises: 31st Critics’ Choice Awards Nominations Revealed
The excitement of the awards season continues with the announcement of the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards nominations. This year’s nominations highlight a lineup filled with both expected contenders and surprising omissions, setting the stage for an intense competition.
Highlights of the Critics’ Choice Awards Nominations
This year’s frontrunner is the film “Sinners,” which leads the nominations with a remarkable total of 17. Directed by Ryan Coogler, it garnered nominations across all craft categories, including Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and more. Notable performances acknowledged include:
- Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan
- Best Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku
- Young Actor: Miles Caton
“Sinners” narrowly missed nominations for a second song, “Last Time (I Seen The Sun),” and Best Supporting Actor for Delroy Lindo. Had it achieved these, it would have matched “Barbie’s” record of 18 nominations from two years ago.
Other Top Contenders
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” follows with 14 nominations. Other strong contenders include:
- “Hamnet” (Focus Features) – 11 nominations
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix) – 11 nominations
- “Marty Supreme” (A24) – 8 nominations
- “Sentimental Value” (NEON) – 7 nominations
Surprising Absences in Major Categories
Despite leading their films to Best Picture nods, elevated names like Cynthia Erivo, George Clooney, and Jesse Plemons missed out on nominations in their respective lead categories. The critical reception for “Wicked: For Good” likely hindered Erivo’s chances, making the Best Actress category particularly competitive.
Jesse Plemons also faced a notable snub, even though “Bugonia” received nominations in key categories. Meanwhile, Adam Sandler earned his third Critics’ Choice Award nomination for “Jay Kelly,” securing additional nods for Best Supporting Actor and other categories as well.
Craft Nominations and Unique Picks
This year’s craft nominations surprised many, particularly with the inclusion of Netflix’s “The Perfect Neighbor” nominated for Best Editing—the first documentary to achieve such recognition. Other films receiving nominations include:
- “Sirāt” – Best Foreign Language Film and Best Sound
- “Warfare” – Best Sound and Stunts
- “28 Years Later” – Makeup & Hairstyling
- “Kiss of the Spider Woman” – Costume Design
Key Takeaways for the Awards Season
The nominations reflect evolving trends and surprises expected in upcoming awards ceremonies. “Avatar: Fire & Ash” received only one nomination for Best Visual Effects, raising eyebrows after previous franchise successes. Conversely, “Train Dreams” has gained momentum with five nominations, revitalizing its potential during the awards race.
As the Golden Globe nominations approach, many films are positioning themselves for a stronger showing. The impact of these nominations will likely resonate as we progress toward the Oscars. It’s an exciting time to witness how the Critics’ Choice nominations influence the larger awards landscape.
