Jon M. Chu’s Wicked soared to the top at the 2024 National Board of Review (NBR) Awards, claiming the title of Best Film, with Chu earning Best Director and stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande receiving a Spotlight Award for their remarkable collaboration.
Already a box-office hit, Wicked is now gearing up for an awards season campaign that could position it as a strong contender at the Academy Awards. The NBR, an esteemed organization of film enthusiasts and academics established in 1909, awarded the film just days before Monday’s Golden Globe nominations, where it is expected to perform strongly.
“NBR president Annie Schulhof praised the film, stating, ‘Wicked represents the pure magic that movies can bring to audiences. Every detail is beautifully crafted and designed, the actors are all exceptional, and the music is second-to-none.’
Among other winners, Daniel Craig took Best Actor for his role in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ work, while Nicole Kidman earned Best Actress for Babygirl. Kieran Culkin and Elle Fanning won Best Supporting Actor and Actress for A Real Pain and A Complete Unknown, respectively.
The NBR Awards, part of a packed week of cinematic accolades including the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle, will be presented on January 7 at an untelevised gala hosted by Willie Geist.
2024 NBR Winners Highlights:
- 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
- Breakthrough Performance: Mikey Madison, Anora
- Best Original Screenplay: Mike Leigh, Hard Truths
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, Sing Sing
- Best Animated Feature: Flow
- Best International Film: The Seed of the Sacred Fig
- Best Documentary: Sugarcane
The awards season momentum continues to build, and Wicked has already claimed a strong foothold in the race for cinema’s highest honors.
