2025 Critics Choice Awards:
The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best in film and television on February 7, 2025, with Anora taking home the coveted Best Picture award. Hosted by Chelsea Handler at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, the star-studded event honored standout performances, directing, and production across both film and TV. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and highlights from the night.
‘Anora’ Wins Big at Critics Choice Awards 2025
Sean Baker’s indie film Anora emerged as the night’s biggest winner, claiming the Best Picture award. The Neon-produced movie, which previously won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, had seven nominations but secured its victory in the final category of the evening. The win boosts Anora’s momentum as it heads into the DGA and PGA Awards this weekend.
The film’s cast, including Vache Tovmasyan, Alex Coco, Sean Baker, Mikey Madison, and Samantha Quan, accepted the award on stage, marking a triumphant moment for the indie darling.
TV Highlights: ‘Shōgun’ and ‘Hacks’ Lead the Pack
On the television side, FX/Hulu’s Shōgun dominated with four wins, including:
- Best Drama Series
- Best Actor in a Drama Series (Hiroyuki Sanada)
- Best Supporting Actor and Actress in a Drama Series
HBO Max’s Hacks also shined, winning three awards:
- Best Comedy Series
- Best Actress in a Comedy Series (Jean Smart)
- Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Hannah Einbinder)
Netflix’s Baby Reindeer took home two awards, including Best Limited Series and Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for Jessica Gunning.
Film Winners: A Night of Triple Triumphs
Several films walked away with multiple awards:
- The Substance: Demi Moore won Best Actress, while the film also claimed Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Hair and Makeup.
- Emilia Pérez: Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress, and the film also took home Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song.
- Wicked: Jon M. Chu won Best Director, and the film also scored wins for Costume Design and Production Design.
Other notable wins included Adrien Brody for Best Actor (The Brutalist) and Kieran Culkin for Best Supporting Actor (A Real Pain).
Key Takeaways from the Critics Choice Awards 2025
- Best Picture: Anora
- Best Drama Series: Shōgun
- Best Comedy Series: Hacks
- Best Limited Series: Baby Reindeer
- Best Actress (Film): Demi Moore (The Substance)
- Best Actor (Film): Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
How to Watch the Critics Choice Awards 2025
Missed the live show? You can catch the Critics Choice Awards 2025 on E! and Peacock. The event aired live on the East Coast and was tape-delayed on the West Coast. The full show is now available for streaming.
Why the Critics Choice Awards Matter
The Critics Choice Awards are a key indicator of Oscar success. Last year’s Best Picture winner, Oppenheimer, went on to win the same award at the Oscars. With Anora’s victory, it’s now a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Critics Choice Awards celebrated a diverse range of talent, from indie films like Anora to TV powerhouses like Shōgun and Hacks. As awards season heats up, these wins could shape the race for the Oscars and Emmys.