National Board of Review Names Wicked Best Film of 2024

It seems film awards season has officially begun. The National Board of Review, which recognizes excellence in filmmaking, has named Wicked the Best Film of 2024.

Wicked director Jon M. Chu has also been named Best Director, while co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will receive the NBR Spotlight Award for their creative collaboration in the motion picture.

"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—together it adds up to a transporting experience like no other. The NBR is proud to honor director Jon M. Chu and his remarkable cinematic vision,” said NBR President Annie Schulhof in a statement.

READ: Wicked Fans Assemble! Sing-Along Screenings Are Officially Coming

The movie musical, based on the long-running international stage production of the same name, arrived in cinemas November 22 and has already grossed over $370 million worldwide. Domestically, it is currently the highest earning Broadway adaptation ever on the screen. The nearly three-hour film is only the first half of the two-part adaptation. The second Wicked film, covering the stage musical's second act, will arrive November 21, 2025.

Other National Board of Review honorees include Daniel Craig for Best Actor for Queer; Nicole Kidman for Best Actress for Babygirl; and Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar's Sing Sing for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Watch: Colman Domingo Leads a Prison Theatre Company in Sing Sing

This year, 246 films were viewed by a group of film enthusiasts, filmmakers, professionals, academics, and students, many of which were followed by in-depth discussions with directors, actors, producers, and screenwriters. The honorees will be celebrated at the NBR Awards Gala, hosted by Willie Geist, January 7, 2025, at Cipriani 42nd Street.

The full list of 2024 award recipients follows.

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
Best Ensemble: Conclave
Breakthrough Performance: Mikey Madison, Anora
Best Directorial Debut: India Donaldson, Good One
Best Original Screenplay: Mike Leigh, Hard Truths
Best Adapted Screenplay: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, Sing Sing
NBR Spotlight Award: Creative Collaboration of Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande
NBR Freedom of Expression Award: No Other Land
Best Animated Feature: Flow
Best International Film: The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Best Documentary: Sugarcane
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Jarin Blaschke, Nosferatu
Outstanding Achievement in Stunt Artistry: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Top Films (in alphabetical order):
Anora
Babygirl
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Gladiator II
Juror #2
Queer
A Real Pain
Sing Sing

Top 5 International Films (in alphabetical order):
All We Imagine as Light
The Girl with the Needle
I’m Still Here
Santosh
Universal Language

Top 5 Documentaries (in alphabetical order):
Black Box Diaries
Dahomey
Look Into My Eyes
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Will & Harper

Top 10 Independent Films (in alphabetical order):
Bird
A Different Man
Dìdi
Ghostlight
Good One
Hard Truths
His Three Daughters
Love Lies Bleeding
My Old Ass
Thelma

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