What Is 2002 National Board of Review Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 National Board of Review Awards honored the best films and performances of 2002, announced on December 10, 2002, and presented on January 13, 2003, with *Chicago* named Best Film.

Key Facts

The 2002 National Board of Review Awards were announced on December 10, 2002
Ceremony took place on January 13, 2003, in New York City
Best Film award went to *Chicago*, directed by Rob Marshall
Denzel Washington won Best Actor for *Training Day*
Julianne Moore received dual honors for *Far from Heaven* and *The Hours*

Overview

The 2002 National Board of Review (NBR) Awards recognized outstanding achievements in filmmaking from the year 2002. Announced on December 10, 2002, the awards highlighted a diverse range of films, performances, and directors, setting the stage for the upcoming awards season.

Hosted annually by the National Board of Review, a New York-based organization founded in 1909, the awards are among the earliest to be announced each season. Their selections often influence Oscar momentum, lending prestige to recipients like Denzel Washington and Julianne Moore.

Best Film: *Chicago* (2002), directed by Rob Marshall, won the top honor for its bold revival of the musical genre and strong box office performance.
Best Director: Rob Marshall was honored for his debut feature, which combined stylized visuals with narrative confidence in a challenging genre format.
Best Actor: Denzel Washington earned acclaim for his intense portrayal of corrupt cop Alonzo Harris in *Training Day*, a performance that later won him an Oscar.
Best Actress: Julianne Moore received dual recognition for her roles in *Far from Heaven* and *The Hours*, showcasing her range across period dramas.
Top Films List: The NBR named ten outstanding films, including *The Pianist*, *Catch Me If You Can*, and *Adaptation*, highlighting cinematic excellence beyond just the winner.

How It Works

The National Board of Review operates independently of the Academy Awards, selecting winners through a voting process by its board of film professionals, academics, and historians.

Selection Process: A 25-member jury views hundreds of films released in the calendar year, meeting in December to vote on winners via secret ballot.
Announcement Timing: Winners are revealed in early December, making the NBR one of the first major groups to weigh in on awards season contenders.
Categories Recognized: The NBR honors Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting roles, and lists ten Top Films, plus special awards for debut and international work.
Eligibility Window: Only films released theatrically in the United States between January 1 and December 31, 2002, were considered for these awards.
Special Awards: The 2002 edition included the William A. Wellman Award for excellence in filmmaking, given to director Martin Scorsese for lifetime achievement.
Ceremony Format: The awards dinner was held on January 13, 2003, at Cipriani in New York City, attended by major industry figures and honorees.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2002 NBR Awards stack up against other major film honors in terms of key winners and timing:

Award	Best Film Winner	Announcement Date	Key Overlap with NBR
National Board of Review	Chicago	December 10, 2002	N/A
Golden Globes	Chicago	December 17, 2002	Same Best Film winner
Critics Choice Awards	Chicago	January 19, 2003	Same Best Film and Best Actor (Washington)
American Cinema Editors	N/A	February 2003	Chicago won Best Edited Musical
Academy Awards	Chicago	March 23, 2003	Same Best Film; Washington and Moore nominated

The NBR’s early timing gives it influence in shaping early narratives for Oscar campaigns. Its alignment with the Golden Globes and eventual Oscar winner *Chicago* underscores its predictive power. While not always perfectly aligned, the NBR often signals which films will gain traction in the awards circuit.

Why It Matters

The 2002 NBR Awards played a pivotal role in validating films and performances ahead of the Oscars, offering early credibility to key contenders. Its recognition helped boost box office and visibility for films like *Chicago* and *The Pianist*.

Box Office Impact: Winning NBR recognition often leads to a 10–15% increase in theater attendance and re-releases for qualifying films.
Oscar Precursor: Denzel Washington’s NBR win foreshadowed his historic Best Actor Oscar win, the second for a Black actor in Academy history.
Support for Musicals: Honoring *Chicago* helped revive mainstream interest in film musicals, a genre that had seen declining popularity since the 1970s.
Julianne Moore’s Breakthrough: Her dual recognition solidified her status as a leading dramatic actress, leading to multiple Oscar nominations in the following decade.
Diversity Recognition: The NBR honored Denzel Washington and Spanish film *Talk to Her*, showing early support for diverse storytelling and global cinema.
Industry Influence: Studios use NBR placements in marketing campaigns, often adding 'NBR Award Winner' to promotional materials and trailers.

Overall, the 2002 National Board of Review Awards served as a crucial early indicator of cinematic excellence, shaping both public perception and awards momentum during a competitive and artistically rich year in film.