After some stops and starts, award season is again underway with the 2025 Critics Choice Awards. Acclaimed movies “Wicked” and “Conclave,” along with lauded TV series “Shōgun,” lead the pack of nominees.

The Critics Choice Awards, which were hosted for a third year in a row by Chelsea Handler, has traditionally been a good Oscar bellwether. Last year, eventual Best Picture Oscar winner Oppenheimer scored a leading eight wins here including the marquee Best Picture prize that Anora just snagged.

“Wicked,” “Emilia Pérez,” and “The Substance” each triumphed with three wins at the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards on Friday night. However, it was “Anora” that claimed the best picture prize at this year’s ceremony.