The glitz of Hollywood is great, but honestly, it’s often a bit of a popularity contest. That’s why the London Critics Circle Film Awards has such a weirdly powerful grip on the industry. It’s not about who had the biggest billboard on Sunset Boulevard; it’s about a group of roughly 200 nerds—actual working British critics—sitting in a room and deciding what was actually good.
They’ve been doing this since 1980. While the Oscars are busy trying to figure out how to keep people from turning off the TV, the London Critics are usually ahead of the curve, spotting the masterpieces before the rest of the world catches up.
What is the London Critics Circle Film Awards?
Basically, it's the annual ceremony held by the Film Section of The Critics' Circle. This isn't some fly-by-night blog awards. The Circle itself dates back to 1913, though they didn't let film critics in until 1926. Think of it as the ultimate "critics' critic" award. Because the voters are people who watch hundreds of movies a year for a living, their tastes lean toward the bold, the international, and the technically precise.
You’ve probably seen their stamps on movie trailers. "Winner: Film of the Year – London Critics' Circle." It carries weight because these critics aren't industry insiders voting for their friends. They’re outsiders. That distance gives them a different perspective than the BAFTAs or the Academy.
The 2026 Season: Who is Leading the Pack?
Right now, as we head toward the 46th annual ceremony on February 1, 2026, the atmosphere is electric. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another is the one everyone is talking about. It bagged nine nominations, which is a massive haul for this specific group. Close behind are Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet with eight nods and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners with seven.
It’s interesting to see Mark Kermode returning as host at The May Fair Hotel. He’s got that dry, sharp wit that fits the "London" vibe perfectly. You don't get the over-the-top musical numbers here; you get passionate speeches and a lot of respect for the craft.
Looking Back at the 2025 Winners
To understand why this matters, you only have to look at last year. In February 2025, the London Critics Circle Film Awards went all in on The Brutalist. Brady Corbet’s epic took home the top prize, Film of the Year. It was a bold choice that signaled to the rest of the awards circuit that this was a film to be reckoned with.
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The acting categories were equally stacked:
- Ralph Fiennes won Actor of the Year for Conclave.
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste took Actress of the Year for Hard Truths.
- Zoe Saldaña walked away with Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez.
- Kieran Culkin reminded everyone why he’s a powerhouse, winning Supporting Actor for A Real Pain.
What’s cool about the London Critics is they also have specific categories for British and Irish talent. It’s a way to celebrate home-grown excellence without it getting lost in the Hollywood shuffle. Last year, Saoirse Ronan won British/Irish Performer of the Year for her work in The Outrun and Blitz. She’s a perennial favorite here, and for good reason.
The "Special" Awards You Should Know
They don't just do "Best Picture." They have some legacy awards that are highly coveted.
The Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film is the big one. It’s named after the legendary critic Dilys Powell, and it’s basically a lifetime achievement award. In 2025, it went to Daniel Craig. This year, in 2026, it’s being handed to Guillermo del Toro. It’s a perfect fit. Del Toro is a filmmaker who loves the history of cinema as much as the critics do. His recent Frankenstein adaptation has been a critical darling, proving he’s still at the top of his game.
Then there’s the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation. This is a newer one, named after another titan of British criticism. This year, Cynthia Erivo is set to receive it. It’s meant for people who are actually pushing the medium forward, not just making "safe" hits.
Why This Award Predicts the Oscars (Mostly)
The relationship between the London Critics and the Oscars is... complicated. Sorta.
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Because the London Critics announce their nominations in December and hold their ceremony in early February, they often set the "critical consensus." If a movie like The Zone of Interest or The Power of the Dog sweeps in London, Oscar voters—who are often lazy and look for cues on what they "should" like—start paying attention.
However, the London Critics are much more likely to pick a foreign-language film or a gritty indie. They picked Amour as Film of the Year back in 2012. They picked Roma in 2018. They aren't afraid of subtitles. If you want to know what the real best movie of the year is, look at this list, not the one from the Dolby Theatre.
How the Voting Actually Works
It’s a two-stage process.
- The Longlist/Nominations: Members of the Film Section vote for their favorites across all categories.
- The Final Ballot: The top vote-getters become the nominees, and the critics vote again to find the winner.
It’s a purely democratic system within the Circle. No "blue-ribbon committees" or secret backroom deals. Just 200+ people who spend their lives in dark rooms watching screens.
Misconceptions About the London Critics
People often think this is just a "British" version of the Oscars. It's not.
First off, the main "Film of the Year" and acting categories are international. Anyone from anywhere can win. The British/Irish categories are separate. Also, they include a "Technical Achievement Award" which is a single category that pits cinematography against production design or stunts. It sounds chaotic, but it forces critics to ask: "What was the most impressive piece of craft this year, regardless of the department?" In 2025, that went to Nickel Boys for its cinematography.
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Another myth? That they only like "boring" art films.
Not true. They’ve honored Mad Max: Fury Road and Top Gun: Maverick in the past. If the craft is there, they’ll reward it. They just have a very low tolerance for corporate fluff.
Practical Insights for Film Fans
If you're trying to win your Oscar pool or just want to find a movie that won't waste two hours of your life, the London Critics' list is your best resource.
- Follow the Breakthrough Award: The Philip French Award for Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker is a goldmine. It’s where people like Emerald Fennell or Charlotte Wells got their first major flowers.
- Check the Documentary Category: They consistently pick the most hard-hitting docs that the mainstream often ignores. Last year’s winner, No Other Land, is a prime example.
- Watch the Livestream: They usually stream the ceremony on their YouTube channel. It’s a great way to hear how these actors and directors talk when they aren't doing the standard American talk-show circuit.
The London Critics Circle Film Awards might not have the red carpet budget of the Golden Globes, but it has something much more valuable: credibility. In an era where "Rotten Tomatoes scores" are used as marketing weapons, having a group of veteran critics put their name on a film still means something.
As we look toward the 2026 ceremony, the battle between One Battle After Another and Hamnet is going to be the story of the night. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a hardcore cinephile, this is the one awards show that actually tells you what’s worth watching.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the results coming out of the May Fair Hotel this February. You can track the full list of winners on the official Critics' Circle website or their social channels immediately following the ceremony. If you want to dive deeper into the history of the awards, the BFI National Archive holds extensive records of the Circle’s impact on British film culture over the last century.