What Is 24th Critics' Choice Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 24th Critics' Choice Awards honored the best in film and television for 2018, held on January 13, 2019, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' won Best Picture, and 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' took top TV honors.

Key Facts

The 24th Critics' Choice Awards took place on January 13, 2019
Ceremony was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California
Hosted by comedian Taye Diggs
'Bohemian Rhapsody' won Best Picture
'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' won Best Limited Series

Overview

The 24th Critics' Choice Awards celebrated excellence in film and television, recognizing achievements from the 2018 calendar year. The ceremony took place on January 13, 2019, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, and was broadcast live on The CW network.

Organized by the Critics Choice Association (CCA), the event brought together top actors, directors, and creatives from Hollywood. Comedian and actor Taye Diggs hosted the show for the first time, marking a shift toward more dynamic and inclusive award presentations.

January 13, 2019: The 24th Critics' Choice Awards were held on this date, marking one of the final major award shows before the Oscars.
Barker Hangar: This iconic Santa Monica venue hosted the event, known for its spacious layout and celebrity appeal.
Best Picture: 'Bohemian Rhapsody' won the top film honor, a surprise to many given strong competition from 'Roma' and 'Green Book'.
Best Limited Series: 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' took home the award, praised for its bold storytelling and performances.
Host: Taye Diggs made his debut as host, bringing energy and humor to the evening with musical and comedic segments.

How It Works

The Critics' Choice Awards are determined by members of the Critics Choice Association, a group of over 400 professional TV, film, and entertainment journalists across North America. Voting occurs in two rounds: nomination and final balloting, with winners announced at the live ceremony.

Voting Body:The Critics Choice Association includes more than 400 critics, making it one of the largest voting bodies in Hollywood.
Eligibility Period:Films and shows released between January 1 and December 31, 2018, were eligible for the 24th edition.
Nominations:Announced on December 13, 2018, with 'Black Panther' and 'The Favourite' leading film nominations.
Categories:25 film and 13 television categories were awarded, including acting, directing, and ensemble honors.
Winner Selection:Final winners are chosen through a ranked-choice voting system among CCA members.
Live Broadcast:The CW aired the ceremony live, reaching millions and boosting visibility ahead of the Oscars.

Comparison at a Glance

The Critics' Choice Awards are often compared to other major award shows like the Golden Globes and Oscars. Below is a comparison highlighting key differences in scope, voting body, and influence.

Award Show	Voting Body	Number of Voters	First Held	TV Network
Critics' Choice Awards	Critics Choice Association	Over 400	1996	The CW
Golden Globes	Hollywood Foreign Press Association	Approx. 90	1944	NBC
Academy Awards (Oscars)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences	Over 9,000	1929	ABC
Screen Actors Guild Awards	SAG-AFTRA Members	Over 100,000	1995	TNT/TBS
BAFTA Awards	British Academy of Film and Television Arts	Approx. 7,000	1949	ITV (UK)

The Critics' Choice Awards stand out for their large, diverse voting body and broad category range. Unlike the Golden Globes, which separate films into Drama and Musical/Comedy, Critics' Choice combines categories while still honoring genre distinctions. Their timing—mid-January—positions them as a key Oscar predictor, with strong historical correlation in Best Picture outcomes.

Why It Matters

The 24th Critics' Choice Awards played a significant role in shaping the 2019 awards season narrative, influencing media coverage and Oscar momentum. Its broad voter base lends credibility, and its inclusive categories reflect evolving industry standards.

Oscar Indicator:Winners often foreshadow Oscar success; 'Green Book' won Best Picture here and later at the Academy Awards.
Diversity Recognition:Actors like Regina King and Mahershala Ali were honored, highlighting performances from underrepresented groups.
Genre Inclusion:'Black Panther' won Best Acting Ensemble, a rare honor for a superhero film at major award shows.
Television Impact:Limited series like 'Versace' gained renewed attention, boosting viewership and critical acclaim.
Media Influence:Coverage by major outlets amplified winners' visibility, aiding marketing campaigns for studios.
Host Innovation:Taye Diggs' musical performance set a new tone, blending entertainment with award presentation.

Overall, the 24th Critics' Choice Awards reinforced the Critics Choice Association's role as a tastemaker in Hollywood. By balancing critical acclaim with popular appeal, the event continues to shape how audiences and studios view award-worthy content.