Hold onto your seats, movie buffs, because the New York Film Critics Circle is shaking things up again! This morning, over 50 of the sharpest minds in film journalism are huddling in Manhattan to crown the cinematic kings and queens of 2025. Among them? Variety’s own Owen Gleiberman, whose voice carries weight in this rebellious crew. As the oldest critics’ group in the U.S., the NYFCC isn’t just another awards body—it’s a trendsetter. Their Best Film pick often foreshadows an Academy Award nomination, with only two misses ("Carol" and "First Cow") since the Oscars expanded to 10 nominees in 2009. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the NYFCC is a powerhouse, its choices rarely align with the Academy’s final winners. Why? These critics have a soft spot for deep, textured storytelling—think Todd Haynes’ "Far from Heaven" or Ryūsuke Hamaguchi’s "Drive My Car"—over the flashy Oscar frontrunners. In fact, they’ve matched the Academy’s Best Picture winner just once in the past decade ("The Artist"). And this is the part most people miss: the NYFCC isn’t afraid to let recency bias slip in, like when they crowned "American Hustle" in 2013—just a day after screening it. Now, in their 91st year, they’re still steering the awards season conversation. Below, the winners that could redefine what we think of as ‘the best.’
Winners List:
Best Film:
Director:
Actor:
Actress:
Supporting Actor:
Supporting Actress:
Screenplay:
Animated Film:
Cinematography:
Non-Fiction Film:
International Film: "The Secret Agent"
First Film: "Eephus"
Controversy Alert: Do the NYFCC’s bold, often contrarian choices make them true arbiters of cinematic excellence, or are they out of touch with mainstream tastes? Let’s debate—drop your take in the comments!
