Critics' Choice award nominees by the numbers

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January 4, 2019
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Critics' Choice award nominees by the numbers

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, made up of over 300 television, radio, and online film critics. Since its formation in 1995, the BFCA has held the Critics' Choice Awards each year to recognize great work in filmmaking. The nominees are announced each December while the winners receive their awards at a live broadcast ceremony in January. The Critics' Choice Awards are noted as the best predictor for Academy Award winners, forecasting 14 Best Picture Oscar winners in its 23 years.

For those moviegoers looking to impress with their knowledge of this year's trendiest films—or just looking for something to watch this weekend—Stacker has compiled all of the movies that have been nominated for the 2018 Critics' Choice Awards. The movies are listed by the number of nominations they received, with ties broken by their IMDb user rating, and further ties broken by their Metascore. While the Critics' Choice Awards gives out prizes for television as well, this list looked only at film, including made-for-TV movies.

Click through to find out which films stand a chance to win Critics' Choice awards this January.

ALSO: Golden Globe-nominated films ranked by box office returns

#57. Icebox

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 5.4

Metascore: n/a

Director: Daniel Sawka


"Icebox” follows a young Honduran boy, played by Anthony Gonzalez, who seeks asylum in the United States, but faces steep obstacles from the U.S. immigration system. This HBO film was nominated for Best Movie Made for Television.

 

#56. King Lear

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 6.2

Metascore: n/a

Director: Richard Eyre


A BBC adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play of the same name, the 2018 film "King Lear” stars Anthony Hopkins as the titular character. This film was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries.

 

#55. The Grinch

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 6.4

Metascore: 51

Directors: Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier


This computer-animated Christmas comedy is based on the Dr. Seuss book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” While "The Grinch” received mediocre reviews, it was nominated for Best Animated Feature.

 

#54. Dumplin'

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 6.9

Metascore: 53

Director: Anne Fletcher


In this Netflix film, Danielle Macdonald stars as a plus-sized high schooler who has a complicated relationship with her former beauty pageant mother, played by Jennifer Aniston. "Dumplin’” earned a Best Song award nomination for "Girl in the Movies,” written and performed by Dolly Parton.

 

#53. Halloween

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 6.9

Metascore: 67

Director: David Gordon Green


Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode, and Nick Castle returns to play masked murderer Michael Myers in this sequel of the 1978 classic horror film of the same name. "Halloween” is nominated for Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie.

 

#52. Annihilation

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 6.9

Metascore: 79

Director: Alex Garland


Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Gina Rodriguez, "Annihilation” is based on a book of the same name written by Jeff VanderMeer. Despite its nomination for the Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie award, this film was a box office bomb.

 

#51. The Hate U Give

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 6.9

Metascore: 82

Director: George Tillman Jr.


Amandla Stenberg, who gained recognition for playing Rue in "The Hunger Games,” received a Best Young Actress nomination for starring in "The Hate U Give." She plays Starr Carter, a young woman who witnesses her African-American friend get killed by a white police officer. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Angie Thomas.

 

#50. My Dinner with Hervé

Nominations: 1s

IMDb user rating: 7.0

Metascore: n/a

Director: Sacha Gervasi


Based on a true story, "My Dinner with Hervé” depicts the meeting of journalist Danny Tate (a version of real-life journalist Sacha Gervasi) and the French actor Hervé Villechaize. Peter Dinklage, known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in "Game of Thrones,” stars as Villechaize. This HBO film received a nomination for the Best Movie Made for Television award.

 

#49. Tully

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.0

Metascore: 75

Director: Jason Reitman


Charlize Theron was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy for her role in "Tully.” Theron plays Marlo, a mother of three who forms a unique relationship with her new night nanny, Tully. Theron is also nominated for a Golden Globe for this performance.

 

#48. At Eternity's Gate

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.0

Metascore: 78

Director: Julian Schnabel


"At Eternity’s Gate” is a study of Vincent van Gogh. Willem Dafoe stars as the Dutch painter, receiving a Best Actor nomination for both the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globes.

 

#47. Boy Erased

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.1

Metascore: 71

Director: Joel Edgerton


Lucas Hedges stars in "Boy Erased” as the son of a Baptist preacher who is outed to his parents. He is forced to choose between starting conversion therapy or losing the support of his family. Nicole Kidman plays his mother and is nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

 

#46. Stan & Ollie

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.1

Metascore: 72

Director: Jon S. Baird


Biopic "Stan & Ollie” chronicles the world-famous comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as they attempt to reignite their success. The stress of touring along with health problems begin to affect their relationship. John C. Reilly received a Best Actor in a Comedy nomination for his portrayal of Hardy.

 

#45. Mirai

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.2

Metascore: 81

Director: Mamoru Hosoda


Mamoru Hosoda is known for directing Japanese animated films including "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” and "Digimon: The Movie.” "Mirai” is his latest work and is nominated for Best Animated Feature. It depicts the relationship between 4-year-old Kun and his new baby sister, Mirai.

 

#43. Leave No Trace (tie)

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.2

Metascore: 88

Director: Debra Granik


"Leave No Trace” is about a veteran suffering from PTSD and his daughter, Tom, who are both living off the grid in Oregon. Thomasin McKenzie earned a Best Young Actress nomination for her portrayal of Tom. This film had a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes as of publication.

 

#43. The Death of Stalin (tie)

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.2

Metascore: 88

Director: Armando Iannucci


This political satire takes place in Moscow after the death of Joseph Stalin. "The Death of Stalin” was banned in a number of countries, including Russia, because of its content. It is up for the Best Comedy award.

 

#42. Beautiful Boy

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 63

Director: Felix van Groeningen


In "Beautiful Boy,” Timothée Chalamet plays Nic, a young addict, opposite Steve Carell, who plays his father David. The story is based on the real-life memoirs of Nic and David Sheff. Chalamet’s performance earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination.

 

#41. The Wife

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 77

Director: Björn Runge


Glenn Close stars as Joan Castleman in "The Wife,” a film that depicts the changes that occur in Castleman’s relationship with her husband after he wins a Nobel Prize. Close received Best Actress nominations for both the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globes.

 

#40. Wildlife

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 80

Director: Paul Dano


Set in the 1960s, "Wildlife” focuses on the Brinson family: Jerry, Jeannette, and their son Joe. The family is shaken when Jerry loses his jobs and decides to fight forest fires. Ed Oxenbould plays Joe, the child who witnesses his parents’ marriage crumble. He is nominated for Best Young Actor.

 

#39. Ralph Breaks the Internet

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.5

Metascore: 71

Directors: Phil Johnston, Rich Moore


This sequel to 2012’s "Wreck-it Ralph” has been nominated for Best Animated Feature. Many famous voices lend themselves to the film including John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Jane Lynch, and Taraji P. Henson.  

 

#38. Mid90s

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.6

Metascore: 66

Director: Jonah Hill


Jonah Hill wrote and directed "Mid90s,” a coming-of-age story set in 1990s Los Angeles. Sunny Suljic plays Stevie, a young boy who gets into skateboarding as an escape from his home life. At age 13, Suljic is the youngest person this year to be nominated for the Best Young Actor/Actress award.

 

#37. RBG

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.6

Metascore: 72

Directors: Julie Cohen, Betsy West


"RBG” depicts the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The National Board of Review has chosen it as the Best Documentary Film of 2018. Written by Diane Warren and performed by Jennifer Hudson, the song "I’ll Fight” has been nominated for Best Song.

 

#36. Burning

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.7

Metascore: 90

Director: Chang-dong Lee


Based on a short story by Haruki Murakami, "Burning” is a South Korean mystery drama. It is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film.

 

#35. Incredibles 2

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.8

Metascore: 80

Director: Brad Bird


While not as well-reviewed as the original, "Incredibles 2” is nominated for Best Animated Feature. The film features a slew of famous voices, including Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, and even Usher.

 

#34. Cold War

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 7.8

Metascore: 91

Director: Pawel Pawlikowski


Set in Poland during the Cold War, this film follows the love story between a musical director and young singer. It has been nominated for the Critics’ Choice Best Foreign Language Film, along with numerous other awards. Director Pawal Pawlikowski was awarded Best Director at the 71st Cannes Film Festival.

 

#33. Capernaum

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 8.0

Metascore: 74

Director: Nadine Labaki


Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, "Capernaum” follows the story of a Lebanese boy suing his parents for giving him life. Director Nadine Labaki primarily hired novice actors whose lives mirrored those of her characters.

 

#32. Shoplifters

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 8.1

Metascore: 93

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda


This Japanese drama tells the story of a family who shoplifts as a means of survival. It has been nominated for both the Critics’ Choice and Golden Globes’ Best Foreign Language Film award, and won the Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

#31. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Nominations: 1

IMDb user rating: 8.8

Metascore: 87

Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman


This animated film introduces a new character to the Spider-Man universe: teenager Miles Morales, who is bitten by a radioactive spider. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” has received stellar reviews as well as a nomination for Best Animated Feature.

 

#30. Notes from the Field

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 6.2

Metascore: n/a

Director: Kristi Zea


Written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith, "Notes from the Field” was originally a 2015 play about the school-to-prison pipeline starring Smith as 19 different characters. It was turned into a television movie for HBO and nominated for Best Movie Made For Television.

 

#29. Mary Queen of Scots

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 6.5

Metascore: 61

Director: Josie Rourke


This historical drama stars Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie as Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I, respectively. While the film has been nominated for Best Costume Design, and Best Hair and Makeup, some historians have criticized it for being historically inaccurate.

 

#28. Sorry to Bother You

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.0

Metascore: 80

Director: Boots Riley


Boots Riley’s feature film directorial debut sees Lakeith Stanfield star as Cash, a telemarketer who gains career success after donning a "white voice.” "Sorry to Bother You” has received mostly positive reviews and has been noted for its anti-capitalist message. The film earned a Best Comedy nomination and Stanfield received for Best Actor in a Comedy.

 

#27. First Reformed

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.1

Metascore: 85

Director: Paul Schrader


Ethan Hawke earned a Best Actor nomination for his role as Reverend Ernst Toller. When one of Toller’s parishioners asks him for help regarding her radical environmentalist husband, Toller’s faith is brought into question. The film is also nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

 

#26. Suspiria

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 64

Director: Luca Guadagnino


Dakota Johnson, known for the "Fifty Shades” film series, stars in "Suspiria” as a woman who joins a dance academy run by a witch coven. This remake of a 1977 Dario Argento film is nominated for Best Hair and Makeup as well as Best Sci-Fi or Horror Film.

 

#25. Hereditary

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 87

Director: Ari Aster


Ari Aster made his feature directorial debut with "Hereditary,” which is nominated for Best Sci-Fi or Horror Film. Toni Collette is also nominated for Best Actress for her starring role of Annie Graham. In the film, Annie’s family faces terrifying events after her mother passes away.

 

#24. Ready Player One

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.5

Metascore: 64

Director: Steven Spielberg


"Ready Player One” is based off a 2011 novel by Ernest Cline, who wrote the film’s screenplay along with Zak Penn. The science-fiction film takes place in the future, but is packed with ‘80s pop culture references. It is nominated for Best Action Movie as well as Best Visual Effects.

 

#23. Isle of Dogs

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.9

Metascore: 82

Director: Wes Anderson


Wes Anderson wrote, produced, and directed "Isle of Dogs,” a stop-motion animated film about a Japanese boy searching for his dog after the species has been banned by the government. The film stars a number of actors with whom Anderson works regularly, including Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, and Tilda Swinton. It has received nominations for Best Score and Best Animated Feature.

 

#22. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 7.9

Metascore: 86

Director: Christopher McQuarrie


Tom Cruise returns for the sixth installment of the "Mission: Impossible” film series, garnering nominations for Best Action Movie and Best Visual Effects. "Mission: Impossible—Fallout” received positive reviews, with one critic calling Cruise one of the greatest action stars ever.

 

#21. Avengers: Infinity War

Nominations: 2

IMDb user rating: 8.5

Metascore: 68

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo


Earning nominations for Best Action Movie and Best Visual Effects, "Avengers: Infinity War” sees the Avengers team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to defeat Thanos. The film made over $2 billion at the box office worldwide, making it the highest grossing film in 2018.

 

#20. Game Night

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.0

Metascore: 66

Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein


"Game Night” depicts a typical game night gone awry, starring Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman, and Kyle Chandler. This suspenseful comedy is nominated for Best Comedy, and both McAdams and Bateman have been nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy awards.

 

#19. The Tale

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 90

Director: Jennifer Fox


In "The Tale,” writer Jennifer Fox depicts her own experience with childhood sexual abuse and its ongoing effect on her as an adult. Laura Dern plays the lead and was nominated for Best Actress in a Movie/Limited Series. The HBO film has also been nominated for Best TV Movie.

 

#18. Widows

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.4

Metascore: 84

Director: Steve McQueen


Gillian Flynn and Steven McQueen teamed up to write "Widows,” a heist thriller with women at the helm, based on the novel of the same name by Lynda La Plante. The renowned cast, including Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, and Daniel Kaluuya, was nominated for Best Acting Ensemble. The film was also nominated for Best Action Movie and Best Editing.

 

#17. Eighth Grade

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.5

Metascore: 89

Director: Bo Burnham


Bo Burnham was inspired by his own anxiety to write "Eighth Grade,” earning him a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Star Elsie Fisher received two nominations, for Best Actress in a Comedy and Best Young Actress.

 

#16. A Quiet Place

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.6

Metascore: 82

Director: John Krasinski


John Krasinski directed, co-wrote, and stars in "A Quiet Place.” Krasinski and his real-life wife Emily Blunt play a married couple who must exist in silence to survive the predators hunting them. Regan, their deaf daughter, is played by Millicent Simmonds, who herself is deaf. Simmons was nominated for Best Young Actress, and the movie was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie.

 

#15. Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.6

Metascore: 87

Director: Marielle Heller


Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, a struggling author who begins to forge and sell letters by deceased literary figures. "Can You Ever Forgive Me?” is based on Israel’s autobiography of the same name. The film received three nominations including Best Adapted Screenplay.

 

#14. Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.8

Metascore: n/a

Directors: David Leveaux, Alex Rudzinski


NBC earned a Best TV Movie nomination for its Easter Sunday live broadcast of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar.” John Legend starred as Jesus Christ, which earned him a nomination for Best Actor in a TV Movie. The actor who played Judas Iscariot, Brandon Victor Dixon, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie.

 

#13. Deadpool 2

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 7.8

Metascore: 66

Director: David Leitch


Ryan Reynolds returned to his starring role of superhero Deadpool in this sequel, earning him a nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy. Reynolds also produced and co-wrote the film, which was nominated for Best Action Movie and Best Comedy.

 

#12. Bohemian Rhapsody

Nominations: 3

IMDb user rating: 8.3

Metascore: 48

Director: Bryan Singer


This biographical film centers on the musical group Queen, specifically its lead singer Freddie Mercury, played by Rami Malek. The film has received mixed reviews, with some critics calling it out for historical inaccuracies. Malek is nominated for Best Actor, and the film is nominated for Best Hair and Makeup, and Best Costume Design.

 

#11. Crazy Rich Asians

Nominations: 4

IMDb user rating: 7.1

Metascore: 74

Director: Jon M. Chu


"Crazy Rich Asians” follows the love story between a professor and her boyfriend, who turns out to be from an extremely wealthy and high society Singapore family. The film has received numerous nominations, including Best Acting Ensemble and Best Comedy. The movie was also a box office success, becoming the top-grossing romantic comedy in a decade.

 

#10. Blackkklansman

Nominations: 4

IMDb user rating: 7.6

Metascore: 83

Director: Spike Lee


This film follows Ron Stallworth, the first African-American detective in the Colorado Springs police department, as he works to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. The story is inspired by the memoir of real-life Ron Stallworth. "Blackkklansman” is nominated for four Critics’ Choice Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

 

#9. If Beale Street Could Talk

Nominations: 5

IMDb user rating: 7.3

Metascore: 86

Director: Barry Jenkins


"If Beale Street Could Talk” is based on a James Baldwin novel and centers on a love story that takes place in 1970s Harlem. The film has received largely positive reviews and is nominated for four Critics’ Choice awards including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Regina King.

 

#8. Green Book

Nominations: 7

IMDb user rating: 8.3

Metascore: 70

Director: Peter Farrelly


Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen star in this comedy-drama that follows an African-American musician and his bouncer as they tour the Deep South in the 1960s. The National Board of Review selected Green Book for Best Film of the Year while Critics’ Choice nominated the film for seven awards including Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.


 

#7. Roma

Nominations: 8

IMDb user rating: 8.3

Metascore: 96

Director: Alfonso Cuarón


Writer and director Alfonso Cuarón based "Roma” partially on his own childhood in Mexico City. "Roma” had a limited theater release and is also being streamed on Netflix. It has been nominated for eight awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Foreign Language Film.

 

#6. Vice

Nominations: 9

IMDb user rating: 6.9

Metascore: 61

Director: Adam McKay


This biography centers on Dick Cheney, the 46th vice president of the United States. Christian Bale plays the starring role for which he gained 40 pounds. The film received mixed reviews, but it has been nominated for nine Critics’ Choice Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Bale.

 

#5. Mary Poppins Returns

Nominations: 9

IMDb user rating: 7.4

Metascore: 65

Director: Rob Marshall


A sequel to 1964’s "Mary Poppins,” Emily Blunt takes over for Julie Andrews as the titular character. Marc Shaiman, whose expansive career includes writing the music for the Broadway show "Hairspray,” wrote the music. "Mary Poppins Returns” has been nominated for Best Picture, Best Score, and twice for Best Song: "The Place Where Lost Things Go” and "Trip a Little Light Fantastic.”

 

#4. A Star Is Born

Nominations: 9

IMDb user rating: 8.1

Metascore: 88

Director: Bradley Cooper


Bradley Cooper made his directorial debut in "A Star Is Born,” which he starred in opposite Lady Gaga. This remake of the 1937 film is about an alcoholic musician who discovers a talented singer and then falls in love with her. It has racked up nine nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for both Cooper and Gaga.

 

#3. First Man

Nominations: 10

IMDb user rating: 7.5

Metascore: 84

Director(s): Damien Chazelle


Ryan Gosling stars as Neil Armstrong in this biographical film about the events leading up to the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Score are among its 10 Critics’ Choice award nominations.

 

#2. Black Panther

Nominations: 12

IMDb user rating: 7.4

Metascore: 88

Director: Ryan Coogler


Directed by Ryan Coogler, "Black Panther” was the highest rated live-action superhero film on Rotten Tomatoes, at the time of publication. Among its 12 nominations are Best Picture, Best Acting Ensemble, and Best Action Movie. "All the Stars,” performed by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, has been nominated for Best Song.

 

#1. The Favourite

Nominations: 14

IMDb user rating: 8.2

Metascore: 91

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos


This comedy-drama sees Sarah, the Duchess of Marlborough, and Abigail, a recent court hire, vie for the attention of the ailing Queen Anne. Although the film is inspired by history, much of its plot is fabricated. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz are all nominated for acting awards, while the film has been nominated for Best Picture and Best Comedy.

 

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