The National Board of Review (NBR) picked Wicked as the best film of the year. Jon M. Chu directed the movie and won the Best Director award. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande earned a special prize for their teamwork. The announcement on Wednesday puts the musical in a strong position as awards season heats up.
Wicked Aims for the Oscars
Wicked dominates the box office and now stands as a big contender for the Oscars. The NBR award gives the film a boost before Monday’s Golden Globe nominations. Many expect it to shine in multiple categories.
The NBR doesn’t connect directly to the Oscars, but its picks often highlight strong competitors. NBR President Annie Schulhof praised Wicked, saying, “It shows the pure magic of movies. Every detail amazes, the acting stuns, and the music stays unforgettable. It creates an experience like no other.”
Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman Win Big
Daniel Craig won Best Actor for his role in Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino. Nicole Kidman claimed Best Actress for her performance in Babygirl. She played a boss who falls in love with her intern, played by Harris Dickinson.
Kieran Culkin delivered an award-winning performance in A Real Pain and won Best Supporting Actor. Elle Fanning captured Best Supporting Actress for her role in A Complete Unknown.
New Talent Shines
The NBR celebrated fresh voices in film. Mikey Madison won Breakthrough Performance for Anora. India Donaldson claimed an award for her first film as a director, Good One.
Storytelling and Craft Take the Spotlight
The awards honored more standout achievements. Mike Leigh won Best Original Screenplay for Hard Truths. Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar earned Best Adapted Screenplay for Sing Sing.
Jarin Blaschke impressed with his cinematography in Nosferatu. The daring stunts in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga earned recognition for their excellence.
Animated and international films also received praise. Flow earned Best Animated Feature. The Seed of the Sacred Figwon Best International Film. The top documentary award went to Sugarcane.
Hollywood’s Busy Awards Week
The NBR’s announcement follows a packed week of honors. The Gotham Awards kicked off Monday. The New York Film Critics Circle announced their picks on Tuesday. The Spirit Awards revealed nominations on Wednesday.
Full List of 2024 NBR Winners
- Best Film: Wicked
- Best Director: Jon M. Chu (Wicked)
- Best Actor: Daniel Craig (Queer)
- Best Actress: Nicole Kidman (Babygirl)
- Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Best Supporting Actress: Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown)
- Best Ensemble: Conclave
- Breakthrough Performance: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Best Directorial Debut: India Donaldson (Good One)
- Best Original Screenplay: Mike Leigh (Hard Truths)
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing)
- NBR Spotlight Award: Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande (Wicked)
- NBR Freedom of Expression Award: No Other Land
- Best Animated Feature: Flow
- Best International Film: The Seed of the Sacred Fig
- Best Documentary: Sugarcane
- Outstanding Cinematography: Jarin Blaschke (Nosferatu)
- Outstanding Stunt Work: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Wicked begins its awards season run with strong recognition. Watch for the Golden Globe nominations next week to see how it performs!
