Hold onto your seats, movie buffs, because the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) is shaking things up again! This morning, over 50 of the sharpest minds in film journalism—including Variety’s own Owen Gleiberman—are huddled in Manhattan to crown the cinematic gems of 2025. But here’s where it gets controversial: as the oldest critics’ group in the U.S., the NYFCC has a reputation for marching to the beat of its own drum. While their Best Film pick often lands an Oscar nomination (only Carol in 2015 and First Cow in 2020 missed the cut since the Academy expanded to 10 nominees in 2009), their choices rarely mirror the eventual Oscar winners. Why? Because the NYFCC has a soft spot for bold, textured storytelling—think Far from Heaven (2002) or Drive My Car (2021)—over the safe bets. In fact, they’ve aligned with the Academy’s Best Picture winner just once in the past decade (The Artist, 2011). And this is the part most people miss: their occasional recency bias, like when they crowned American Hustle in 2013 just a day after screening it. Now, in their 91st year, the NYFCC is still setting the tone for awards season. Below, we’ll update the winners live—but first, let’s dive into why this group matters. Do you think the NYFCC’s unconventional picks are a breath of fresh air or a missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments!
Winners List (Updating Live):
- Best Film:
- Director:
- Actor:
- Actress:
- Supporting Actor:
- Supporting Actress:
- Screenplay:
- Animated Film:
- Cinematography:
- Non-Fiction Film:
- International Film: The Secret Agent
- First Film: Eephus
