The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has unveiled the much-anticipated film category nominees for the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards, and it’s clear that independent filmmakers and lovers of creative storytelling have reason to celebrate. In a year where Hollywood’s big-budget productions often overshadow the innovative and daring creations of the independent film world, Barbie has emerged as a shining beacon of originality with an impressive 18 nominations.
Topping the list of nominees for this year’s awards, Barbie not only secured nods for Best Picture and Best Comedy but also earned recognition in categories like Best Hair and Makeup. The film’s star-studded cast received their fair share of praise, with Margot Robbie earning a nomination for Best Actress, Ryan Gosling for Best Supporting Actor, and America Ferrera for Best Supporting Actress. Young talent Ariana Greenblatt is in the running for Best Young Actor/Actress, and the entire ensemble received a nomination for Best Acting Ensemble. Furthermore, Greta Gerwig’s directing skills were acknowledged with a nod for Best Director, and both Gerwig and Noah Baumbach are contenders for Best Original Screenplay. The technical aspects of Barbie were also recognized, with nominations for Best Cinematography, Production Design, Editing, and Costume Design. Notably, the film’s captivating soundtrack and score received nods, with several hit songs and composers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt being nominated for Best Score.

Barbie isn’t the only independent gem shining brightly at this year’s Critics Choice Awards. Oppenheimer and Poor Things both earned an impressive 13 nominations, highlighting their creative brilliance. Killers of the Flower Moon followed closely with 12 nominations. These films, along with American Fiction, Maestro, Past Lives, Saltburn, The Color Purple, and The Holdovers, round out the highly competitive Best Picture category.
CCA CEO Joey Berlin expressed the organization’s excitement, saying, “We are so excited to celebrate this year’s remarkable projects, performances, and the people who made it all possible at the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards. This year saw an incredible number of blockbuster hits and beautiful stories brought to life in these exceptional films.”
The 29th annual Critics Choice Awards will be broadcast live on The CW on Sunday, January 14, 2024, from 7 – 10 pm ET (delayed PT, check local listings). Historically, these awards have proven to be the most accurate predictors of Academy Award nominations, further emphasizing the significance of this recognition for independent filmmakers.
FILM NOMINATIONS FOR THE 29th ANNUAL CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS

BEST PICTURE
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Emily Blunt – Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks – The Color Purple
America Ferrera – Barbie
Jodie Foster – Nyad
Julianne Moore – May December
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Abby Ryder Fortson – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Ariana Greenblatt – Barbie
Calah Lane – Wonka
Milo Machado Graner – Anatomy of a Fall
Dominic Sessa – The Holdovers
Madeleine Yuna Voyles – The Creator
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
BEST DIRECTOR
Maestro. Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein (Director/Writer/Producer) in Maestro. Cr. Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Samy Burch – May December
Alex Convery – Air
Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer – Maestro
Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach – Barbie
David Hemingson – The Holdovers
Celine Song – Past Lives
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Kelly Fremon Craig – Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Andrew Haigh – All of Us Strangers
Cord Jefferson – American Fiction
Tony McNamara – Poor Things
Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer
Eric Roth & Martin Scorsese – Killers of the Flower Moon
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
BEST EDITING

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Jacqueline Durran – Barbie
Lindy Hemming – Wonka
Francine Jamison-Tanchuck – The Color Purple
Holly Waddington – Poor Things
Jacqueline West – Killers of the Flower Moon
Janty Yates, David Crossman – Napoleon
BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

BEST COMEDY
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
BEST SONG
BEST SCORE