WickedSweeps National Board of Review Awards with Three Wins Including Best Film: 'Pure Magic'

Mar. 15, 2025

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked’.Photo:Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

With the announcement ofThe National Board of Review’s 2024 honorees,Wickedis poised to tornado its way into awards season.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, theJon M. Chu-directed Broadway-to-screen movie musical starringCynthia ErivoandAriana Grandeas the witches of Oz topped the National Board of Review’s honoree class.Wicked: Part Oneearned the prizes for best film and director, as well as the NBR Spotlight Award for the “creative collaboration” between Erivo, 37, and Grande, 31.

“Wickedrepresents 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,” said NBR President Annie Schulhof in a statement.

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(Left-right:) Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on the set of ‘Wicked’.Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Best film:Wicked

Best director: Jon M. Chu,Wicked

Best actor: Daniel Craig,Queer

Best supporting actor: Kieran Culkin,A Real Pain

Best supporting actress: Elle Fanning,A Complete Unknown

Best ensemble:ConclaveBest original screenplay: Mike Leigh,Hard Truths

Best adapted screenplay: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar,Sing Sing

Breakthrough performance: Mikey Madison,Anora

Best directorial debut: India Donaldson,Good One

Best animated feature:Flow

Ralph Fiennes in ‘Conclave’.Courtesy of Focus Features

Courtesy of Focus Features

Best international film:The Seed of the Sacred FigBest documentary:SugarcaneOutstanding achievement in stunt artistry:Furiosa: A Mad Max SagaOutstanding achievement in cinematography: Jarin Blaschke,Nosferatu

NBR Spotlight Award: Creative Collaboration of Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande

NBR Freedom of Expression Award:No Other Land

Top five international films (in alphabetical order):All We Imagine as LightThe Girl with the NeedleI’m Still HereSantoshUniversal Language

Top five documentaries (in alphabetical order):Black Box DiariesDahomeyLook Into My EyesSuper/Man: The Christopher Reeve StoryWill & Harper

Top 10 independent films (in alphabetical order):BirdA Different ManDìdiGhostlightGood OneHard TruthsHis Three DaughtersLove Lies BleedingMy Old AssThelma

TheFilm Independent Spirit Awardsalso announced this year’s nominees on Dec. 4.Golden Globe Awardnominations release on Monday, Dec. 9.

source: people.com