Hollywood’s awards season just took an unpredictable turn at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, shaking up the Oscars race with surprise victories, bold statements, and a few headline-making controversies. Held at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar on February 7, following several delays caused by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, the evening delivered emotional speeches, unexpected absences, and moments that had the room buzzing.
Brody Shines, Moore Stays on Top
Sean Baker’s 2024 comedy-drama Anora emerged as the night’s biggest winner, claiming the coveted title of Best Picture after being snubbed at the Golden Globes, while Wicked, Emilia Pérez, and The Substance each took home three awards, asserting their dominance across multiple categories.
Adrien Brody secured Best Actor award for The Brutalist, marking another milestone in his long and varied career. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of awards season, he said, “I’ve been doing this since I was 12, so I know very clearly that these moments are far and few between in an actor’s life, and I do not take this for granted.” His acceptance speech took a lighthearted turn when an audience member shouted, “Lately, you’ve been doing great!”—to which Brody chuckled, “‘Lately!’ I appreciate it.”
Demi Moore continued her awards season sweep, winning Best Actress for The Substance after her Golden Globe triumph, solidifying her position as a frontrunner. The Substance continued to rack up honors, winning Best Original Screenplay and Best Hair and Makeup, adding to Moore’s acting triumph.
Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) took home supporting honors, though Culkin was notably absent. Saldaña’s win received a roaring applause, but the moment was somewhat overshadowed by controversy surrounding her Emilia Pérez co-star Karla Sofía Gascón, whose resurfaced tweets stirred backlash, leading to her absence from the event.
A Delightful Surprise?
One of the night’s biggest surprises came when Wicked director Jon M. Chu snagged Best Director, earning what was arguably the loudest applause for a film-related win. Snubbed by the Academy Awards this year, Chu seized the moment with humor, raising his trophy and exclaiming, “I’m gonna win that Oscar,” to a chorus of cheers. His film also secured awards in Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
Television Triumphs & a Poignant Tribute
While film categories stole the spotlight, television had its own standout moments. FX’s Shogun dominated the TV categories with four wins, while Hacks added three trophies to its growing streak, including Best Comedy Series. Netflix’s Baby Reindeer also had a major moment, taking home Best Limited Series.
Returning as host, Chelsea Handler kept the night moving with her signature sharp wit but also struck a heartfelt note when addressing the devastation caused by the LA wildfires. She opened the ceremony by acknowledging the first responders in attendance, earning a standing ovation and later, she announced a donation drive for those affected.
Oscars Race Just Got Interesting
As the dust settles, the Critics Choice Awards 2025 has not only established frontrunners but also thrown a few curveballs into the awards season predictions. With unexpected wins, headline-making speeches, and just enough drama to keep things interesting, one thing is certain—the road to the Oscars just got a whole lot more exciting.
Check out the complete list of Critics Choice Awards 2025 winners below:
Film
Best Picture
“Anora”
Best Actor
Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”
Best Actress
Demi Moore, “The Substance”
Best Supporting Actor
Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”
Best Supporting Actress
Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez”
Best Young Actor or Actress
Maisy Stella, “My Old Ass”
Best Acting Ensemble
“Conclave”
Best Director
Jon M. Chu, “Wicked”
Best Original Screenplay
Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”
Best Adapted Screenplay
Peter Straughan, “Conclave”
Best Cinematography
Jarin Blaschke, “Nosferatu”
Best Production Design
Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales, “Wicked”
Best Editing
Marco Costa, “Challengers”
Best Costume Design
Paul Tazewell, “Wicked”
Best Hair and Makeup
Stéphanie Guillon, Frédérique Arguello and Pierre-Olivier Persin; “The Substance”
Best Visual Effects
Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer; “Dune: Part Two”
Best Animated Feature
“The Wild Robot”
Best Comedy
“A Real Pain” and “Deadpool & Wolverine”
Best Foreign Language Film
“Emilia Pérez”
Best Song
“El Mal,” from “Emilia Pérez”
Best Score
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, “Challengers”
Television
Best Drama Series
“Shogun”
Best Actor, Drama Series
Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”
Best Actress, Drama Series
Kathy Bates, “Matlock”
Best Supporting Actor, Drama Series
Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun”
Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Moeka Hoshi, “Shogun”
Best Comedy Series
“Hacks”
Best Actor, Comedy Series
Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
Best Actress, Comedy Series
Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Best Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Michael Urie, “Shrinking”
Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
Best Limited Series
“Baby Reindeer”
Best TV Movie
“Rebel Ridge”
Best Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie
Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”
Best Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie
Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin”
Best Supporting Actor, Limited Series or TV Movie
Liev Schreiber, “The Perfect Couple”
Best Supporting Actress, Limited Series or TV Movie
Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”
Best Foreign Language Series
“Squid Game”
Best Animated Series
“X-Men ’97”
Best Talk Show
“John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.”
Best Comedy Special
“Ali Wong: Single Lady”