2025 Critics Choice Awards: ‘Sinners’ and ‘Adolescence’ Dominate Nominations

The awards season is off to a thrilling start. When the nominations for the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards were announced, two titles — the gothic vampire drama “Sinners” and the limited‑series “Adolescence” — towered over their competition, racking up dozens of nods and cementing early status as front‑runners this year.

“Sinners”: A Vampire Epic Steals the Spotlight

Leading the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards race is “Sinners”, which, according to AwardsWatch, captured a staggering 17 nominations — the most of any film this year. Nominations for “Sinners” span nearly every major category: Best Picture, Best Director (Ryan Coogler), Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), Best Young Actor/Actress (Miles Caton), and several “below‑the‑line” crafts including Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup/Hair — a testament to the film’s sweeping ambitions. With such widespread acclaim from critics, “Sinners” has quickly become arguably the most anticipated contender for the awards season.

“Adolescence”: Television’s Standout

While “Sinners” dominates the film categories, “Adolescence” emerged as the breakout star on the television side. The series leads the TV nominations with six nods — the most of any series this year.

That haul includes recognition in top categories, consolidating “Adolescence” as a defining show of 2025 and a must‑watch heading into the awards ceremony. In a year where many awards are split between streaming giants, limited series like “Adolescence” stand out — suggesting critics are embracing television’s bold, risk‑taking edge.

A Broader Landscape: What Else Stands Out

Though “Sinners” and “Adolescence” dominate the headlines, the nominations reveal a deeper, more varied field of contenders. For film, other heavy hitters include “One Battle After Another” (14 nods), “Frankenstein“, and “Hamnet” (with 11 each). The entire nomination list for the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards can be found on the awards site.

The 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards expanded its categories — introducing new craft‑related awards like Best Casting and Ensemble, Best Stunt Design, and Best Sound, among others. That expansion increases the chances for a wider range of films and TV shows to be recognized, beyond the typical Best Picture or Best Series contenders. For instance, a film might shine for its production design or stunt work even if it isn’t nominated for Best Picture.

2025 Critics’ Choice Awards: What It Means for the Awards Season

The dominance by “Sinners” and “Adolescence” in nominations suggests a strong push from critics for bold, genre-defying projects. “Sinners” — a vampire drama with horror pedigree — shows that genre films can still compete in auteur‑level categories, while “Adolescence” signals that limited series remain a core arena for ambitious storytelling.

The wide distribution of nominations among other films and shows also reflects the growing recognition of technical achievement and narrative diversity. With new categories in play, voters have more opportunities to recognize excellence — even in films that might not headline.

As the date for the ceremony approaches — Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar — all eyes will be on whether “Sinners” and “Adolescence” convert their nominations into wins, or whether the broader field will produce a surprise upset. Either way, the 2025 Critics’ Choice Awards have already delivered the kind of buzz and intrigue that the honors season thrives on.