The 30th Critics Choice Awards are upon us, and I couldn't be more excited as I am a voting member of the show. I am excited to head out to the show to see who will win the awards that night. That said, many trophies will be awarded that night, and I predict who will take them home in the big six categories.
The Critics Choice will be broadcast live on E! on January 13 and available to stream the next day on Peacock. The show kicks off at 7 PM EST and will award the best movies and TV shows of 2024. Many factors are in play, as this could help shift the focus with the Oscar nominations coming January 17. I predict who will take home the biggest awards in the film, including Best Picture, Director, and all four acting categories.
30th Annual Critics Choice Awards Predictions
Best Picture
A Complete Unknown
Anora
The Brutalist
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
Nickel Boys
Sing Sing
The Substance
Wicked
We have an interesting race for me because there are three films that I could see taking home the Best Picture—Anora, Conclave, and the wild card Wicked. Anora seems to be the favorite here, and I could easily see it taking home the Best Picture. Conclave has LOTS of love, while Wicked is in the same boat. I predict Anora, but I would not be shocked to see Conclave win.
BEST ACTOR
Adrien Brody – The Brutalist
Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
Daniel Craig – Queer
Colman Domingo – Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes – Conclave
Hugh Grant – Heretic
A wild battle is ahead in the Best Actor race. The biggest question here is, who is the favorite? I'm not sure. There is lots of love for Domingo, and I could see a path where he wins. On the flip side, does Adrien Brody make things happen with his performance in The Brutalist? Or will Timothee Chalamet win? I am predicting Colman Domingo will get his first big win in the awards race.
BEST ACTRESS
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths
Angelina Jolie – Maria
Mikey Madison – Anora
Demi Moore – The Substance
Mikey Madison is winning this award, and I don't have any doubts about it. If we are talking about a spoiler here, maybe, maybe, Karla Sofia Gascon can shock the world. Otherwise, give me Madison as this might be an Anora night.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Yura Borisov – Anora
Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
Clarence Maclin – Sing Sing
Edward Norton – A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce – The Brutalist
Denzel Washington – Gladiator II
It is Kieran Culkin's world, and we are just living in it. BUTT, I understand that he is the frontrunner, and he will more than likely win the Oscar, and I predict he will win the Critics Choice award. However, Clarence Maclin is a HUGE sleeper for the upset here.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Danielle Deadwyler – The Piano Lesson
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor – Nickel Boys
Ariana Grande – Wicked
Margaret Qualley – The Substance
Isabella Rossellini – Conclave
Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez
Zoe Saldaña will win this award, period, end of story. Who could play sleeper? While many might look at Ariana Grande, my eyes are set on Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. Personally, her winning would be lovely, but this group loves this performance, and I could see her winning.
BEST DIRECTOR
Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker – Anora
Edward Berger – Conclave
Brady Corbet – The Brutalist
Jon M. Chu – Wicked
Coralie Fargeat – The Substance
RaMell Ross – Nickel Boys
Denis Villeneuve – Dune: Part Two
In a fantasy world, Denis Villeneuve or RaMell Ross win this category. In reality, this comes down to Baker vs. Corbet, with my leaning towards Corbet taking home the Best Director CCA award. It's a close battle, but Corbet's flashiness of The Brutalist delivers that extra oomph to set him over the top.
The Critics Choice will broadcast LIVE on E! on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 7 PM EST. The show will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock.