What the Critics Choice Awards represent and why 2022 matters
The Critics Choice Awards, presented by the Critics Choice Association (CCA), recognize creative excellence across film and television as judged by television, film, and digital critics. Unlike single-press awards, they aggregate reviews from hundreds of professional critics. The 2022 ceremonies covered works released primarily in 2021, with the 27th Critics Choice Awards held in March 2022 and the 28th Critics Choice Awards held in December 2022 to honor 2022 releases. These awards are widely watched because they often align with Academy Award sentiment and influence campaign narratives. The following explains verified winners, categories, context, and how to interpret these results.
2022 ceremonies, timelines, and scope
Two Critics Choice ceremonies occurred in the 2021–2022 award cycle, reflecting different eligibility windows and genre focuses:
- 27th Critics Choice Awards (March 13, 2022): Honored achievements in film and limited series released in 2021.
- 28th Critics Choice Awards (January 15, 2023, honoring 2022): Honored films and television released in 2022, with nominations announced in December 2022.
Each cycle uses genre-specific voting blocks (e.g., genre committees for genre film and TV categories), and winners are determined by weighted votes from professional critics who are members in good standing. Coverage focuses on prestige categories (Best Picture, Best Actor/Actress, Best Director), genre awards, and emerging creative achievements.
Eligibility and voting mechanics
Eligibility windows and voting procedures differ by cycle:
| Cycle | Eligibility period | Nominations announced | Main ceremony date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th Critics Choice Awards | 2021 releases | December 13, 2021 | March 13, 2022 |
| 28th Critics Choice Awards | 2022 releases | December 14, 2022 | January 15, 2023 |
Votes are tabulated by an audit firm; specific vote shares are not typically disclosed. Genre committees manage initial nominations in competitive categories, while all members vote on major awards.
Film winners at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards
At the 27th Critics Choice Awards (2021 cycle), key winners included:
- Best Picture: "Belfast"
- Best Director: Jane Campion for "The Power of the Dog"
- Best Actor: Will Smith for "King Richard"
- Best Actress: Jessica Chastain for "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"
For the 28th Critics Choice Awards (2022 cycle), notable winners were:
- Best Picture: "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
- Best Director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
- Best Actor: Brendan Fraser for "The Whale"
- Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh for "Everything Everywhere All at Once"
27th Critics Choice Awards (March 2022): genre and major winners
Film categories emphasized both traditional and breakout performances. Genre series and limited series categories highlighted television’s increasing prestige. Documentary and songwriting awards signaled recognition of evolving screen crafts.
28th Critics Choice Awards (January 2023): sweeping recognition of 2022 art
The 28th Critics Choice Awards leaned into genre innovation and ensemble storytelling. Series categories reflected the strength of serialized storytelling in 2022, while acting categories balanced star power with emerging talent. Documentary and nonfiction series also received notable nods.
Television winners at the 2022 Critics Choice cycles
Television categories are split between the two ceremonies. In the 27th cycle, limited series and acclaimed cable programming dominated. By the 28th cycle, streaming platforms had a pronounced presence, reflecting shifts in viewership and production models.
| Ceremony | Best Actor (TV Drama) | Best Actress (TV Drama) | Best Supporting Actor (TV) | Best Supporting Actress (TV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27th (2021 cycle) | Michaela Coel — I May Destroy You | Jean Smart — Hacks | Billy Porter — Pose | Gina Rodriguez — Jane the Virgin |
| 28th (2022 cycle) | Jason Sudeikis — Severance | Sarah Snook — Succession | Nick Offerman — The Last of Us | Hannah Waddingham — Ted Lasso |
Streaming series earned multiple nominations across comedy, drama, and limited categories, highlighting platform-driven growth in critical recognition.
Critical consensus versus other awards
Because the Critics Choice Awards aggregate reviews, they often function as a bridge between critic buzz and broader industry sentiment:
- They frequently align with major Golden Globe and Academy Award categories, but not always with the same winners.
- Genre films and series that may be overlooked by general awards bodies sometimes find early recognition here.
- Critic-based awards can spotlight performances or films that later gain momentum in voters’ awards journeys, though they do not guarantee wins elsewhere.
Understanding this helps contextualize a Critics Choice win as an indicator of critical momentum rather than a deterministic path to other honors.
How to interpret Critics Choice wins in long-term context
For creators and audiences, Critics Choice Awards can highlight emerging talent and bold storytelling. For scholars and analysts, they provide a data point in understanding critical consensus and its relationship with commercial and institutional success. Historical patterns show that:
- Some Critics Choice winners go on to secure Oscar nominations; others remain critical darlings without major Academy recognition.
- Streaming originals have increasingly earned Critics Choice nods, reflecting the medium’s growing artistic legitimacy.
- Genre and breakthrough categories often identify talent and projects that later achieve wider recognition.