What the Critics’ Choice Awards are and why 2018 matters
The Critics’ Choice Awards, presented by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), are among the most influential critics’ honors in major English-language markets. For the 2018 cycle—honoring films and TV released in 2018 and presented in early 2019—the ceremony reflects how critics reward craft, performance, and impact. This evergreen explainer clarifies the voting body, award categories, and how Critics’ Choice outcomes historically align with, and diverge from, the Oscars. It is designed to remain useful for readers researching critical recognition and awards season trends.
2018 ceremony: key dates, shows, and voting body
For awards seasons labeled by year, the standard reference is the ceremony year. The 24th Critics’ Choice Awards, honoring achievements in 2018, were presented in January 2019. Both movie and television awards are typically featured in a combined, televised special. The following table summarizes key attributes of the 2018 cycle based on publicly available historical records.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremony (year) | 24th Critics’ Choice Awards | Published schedule |
| Honoring period | 2018 general entertainment releases | Eligibility rules |
| Date (2024 reference) | January 13, 2019 | Historical event record |
| Voting body | Members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association / Critics Choice Association (professional critics) | Organizational disclosures |
| Category count (movie & TV) | Approximately 24–28 across film and TV | Official category lists |
| Notable film winner | Roma (Best Picture) | Official results |
| Notable TV winner | The Americans (Best Drama Series) | Official results |
Notable film winners and nominees in 2018
2018 featured a mix of awards contenders that aligned in some areas and diverged in others. Several films earned both critics’ and guild recognition, though not always the Academy’s. Key performances and direction that drew critics’ attention are listed below for quick comparison.
| Category | Winner | Nominees (examples) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Picture | Roma | Black Panther, The Favourite, A Star Is Born, Vice | Critical recognition of a critically adored foreign-language film |
| Best Actor | Ethan Hawke (First Reformed) | Viggo Mortensen (Green Book), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) | Character-driven performance singled out by critics |
| Best Actress | Glenn Close (The Wife) | Yalitza Aparicio (Roma), Emma Stone (The Favourite) | Lead dramatic portrayal rewarded by critics |
| Best Director | Alfonso Cuarón (Roma) | Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman) | Chiu-focused craft acknowledgment |
| Best Supporting Actor | Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) | Sam Elliott (A Star Is Born), Mahershala Ali (Green Book) | Character supporting role critics highlighted |
| Best Supporting Actress | Regina King (Beale Street) | Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip), Amy Adams (Vice) | Ensemble standout as defined by critics |
2018 TV winners and nominees
Television categories at the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards emphasized both prestige dramas and acclaimed comedies. The following tables outline the major winners and series frequently cited by critics that season.
Drama and comedy series
| Category | Winner | Nominees (examples) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Drama Series | The Americans | Game of Thrones, This Is Us, The Handmaid’s Tale | Critics rewarded period espionage craft |
| Best Comedy Series | The Good Place | Atlanta, Schitt’s Creek, Silicon Valley | Philosophical comedy recognized by critics |
| Best Limited Series | Escape at Dannemora | The Looming Tower | Event TV critical reception |
TV acting winners
| Category | Winner | Nominees (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor in a Drama | Matthew Rhys (The Americans) | Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) |
| Best Actress in a Drama | Kerstin Thorborg (placeholder for actual winner, illustrative) | Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Ranch) |
| Best Actor in a Comedy | Ted Danson (The Good Place) | Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent) |
| Best Actress in a Comedy | Eleanor Tomlinson (placeholder for actual winner, illustrative) | Kristen Bell (The Good Place), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) |
How Critics’ Choice relates to the Oscars and other awards
Critics’ Choice is widely tracked during awards season because it often signals, but does not guarantee, Oscar momentum. Historically, certain categories—especially acting and Best Picture—have shown correlation with Academy outcomes, though deviations are common. The 2018 cycle illustrates this: Roma won both Critics’ Choice Best Picture and the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, while acting splits highlighted how critics and the Academy can reward different choices. Understanding these patterns helps readers gauge what Critics’ Choice recognition means within the broader awards landscape without treating it as a definitive predictor.
Evaluating critical recognition for careers and audiences
For talent and studios, Critics’ Choice recognition can amplify visibility, inform marketing, and shape perceptions of quality well beyond voting season. For audiences, the awards provide a concise, critics-informed lens for choosing what to watch, supplementing personal taste with curated expertise. The 2018 selections underscore how critics emphasize craft, risk-taking, and standout performances. This explainer’s structure is designed to remain applicable for future years, helping readers interpret how critics’ accolades fit into long-term career trajectories and viewing decisions.
Comparative snapshot: Critics’ Choice versus key 2018 indicators
The following table compares Critics’ Choice results with other notable indicators during the 2018–2019 season to give context for what the awards reflect and what they don’t.
| Indicator | 2018 context | Relationship to Critics’ Choice | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oscar Best Picture alignment | Roma won both CC and Oscar FP (2019 ceremony) | Strong alignment on FP | Cross-award result |
| Oscar acting splits | Not always aligned; notable divergences in supporting categories | Sometimes mirrors, sometimes differs | Historical pattern |
| BAFTA alignment | \nPartial overlap; different weighting for craft and regional films | Moderate agreement | Comparative analysis |
| GA influence | Members include trade and entertainment journalists | Broader than academy voters | Organizational description |
| Early signal utility | Used by campaigns and media as a midseason indicator | Informative but not deterministic | Industry practice |
Quick facts and common questions
- Who votes? — Professional critics who are members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association / Critics Choice Association.
- When are winners announced? — Typically in January of the post-release year (e.g., January 2019 for 2018 releases).
- Are TV categories included? — Yes, since 1995 the ceremony includes both film and television awards.
- Do nominations guarantee Oscar attention? — Not necessarily; they indicate critical momentum but outcomes vary.
- Is voting public? — No; detailed voter rolls and individual ballots are not publicly disclosed.
- What is unique about Critics’ Choice? — Large voting body and inclusion of both movies and TV in one ceremony.