2025 Critics Choice Awards Odds and Predictions

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We’re right in the thick of awards season, folks. The 30th annual Critics Choice Awards are almost here, and the entertainment world is abuzz with excitement.

As one of the most prestigious awards shows in the industry, it’s an event that fans and bettors won’t want to miss. The Critics Choice Awards spotlight the best and brightest talents of the year, from major film categories to top television honors.

For more entertainment odds and insights, check out our dedicated Entertainment blog hub. Also, please don’t miss our in-depth previews of other major awards shows like the Golden Globes and the Grammys.

What Is The Critics Choice Awards?

The Critics Choice Awards is an annual event organized by the Critics Choice Association (CCA), comprising over 500 broadcast, radio, and online critics and entertainment journalists.

The awards honor the finest achievements in both film and television, providing an early indicator of potential Oscar and Emmy winners. It may not generate quite as much excitement as shows like the Oscars or Golden Globes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still bet on it.

When Is The Critics Choice Awards?

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards will go down on Friday, February 7th at the Barker Hangar from the Santa Monica Airport in California. Nominations for this year’s event were announced in mid-December, and the winners may well go on to enjoy similar success at the Academy Awards next month.

Where To Watch The Critics Choice Awards?

Fans can catch the Critics Choice Awards live on The CW Network, with streaming options available on platforms like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.

Critics Choice Awards Odds

Check out the latest Critics Choice Awards odds, courtesy of the top online betting sites:

Critics Choice Awards Prop BetFavoritePrediction
Best Actor in a Drama SeriesHiroyuki Sanada (-1200)Hiroyuki Sanada
Best Actress in a Drama SeriesAnna Sawai (-1500)Anna Sawai
Best Drama SeriesShogun (-1000)Shogun
Best Comedy SeriesHacks (-1000)Hacks
Best Movie Made for TelevisionThe Great Lillian Hall (-150)The Great Lillian Hall
Best Limited SeriesTrue Detective: Night Country (-500)True Detective: Night Country

Critics Choice Awards Predictions

Check out our predictions for the 30th Critics Choice Awards:

Best Actor in a Drama Series

  • Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun) (-1200)
  • Jeff Bridges (The Old Man) (+700)
  • Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) (+700)
  • Eddie Redmayne (The Day Of The Jackal) (+600)
  • Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat) (+600)
  • Antony Starr (The Boys) (+600)

Hiroyuki Sanada has emerged as the overwhelming favorite to win this category. His performance in Shogun has been widely acclaimed, with critics praising his intensity and depth. Sanada brings a commanding presence to his role, effortlessly balancing moments of vulnerability with authority, which has resonated with both audiences and critics.

While Jeff Bridges delivers a heartfelt portrayal in The Old Man, and Ncuti Gatwa brings an energetic charisma to Doctor Who, neither have achieved the same consistent critical and audience praise as Sanada this season.

Eddie Redmayne and Rufus Sewell also showcase their acting prowess, but Sanada’s dominance in the awards circuit makes him the clear frontrunner. Redmayne, in particular, stands out as an elite value option at +600. This is a former Academy Award winner, and The Day of the Jackal has drawn incredible reviews.

Still, there’s a reason Sanada is such a heavy favorite. The -1200 odds offer no upside, but you’re likely betting on a winner here.

Bet: Hiroyuki Sanada (-1200)

Best Actress in a Drama Series

  • Anna Sawai (Shogun) (-1500)
  • Keri Russell (The Diplomat) (+600)
  • Kathy Bates (Matlock) (+700)
  • Caitriona Balfe (Outlander) (+700)
  • Shanola Hampton (Found) (+600)
  • Keira Knightley (Black Doves) (+700)

Anna Sawai’s standout role in Shogun has captivated audiences, earning her the favorite status in this category at the -1500 odds. Her nuanced performance brings depth to her character, and she mixes emotional complexity with moments of brilliance.

While Keri Russell delivers a vintage strong performance in The Diplomat, her character lacks the same narrative weight as Sawai’s. Kathy Bates, a perennial awards favorite, gives a compelling performance in the CBS reboot of Matlock, but it doesn’t reach the emotional heights of Sawai’s work.

Overall, the odds favor Sawai for a well-deserved win. At -1500, let’s go with another Shogun star on what is likely to be a very busy night for the renowned FX series.

Bet: Anna Sawai (-1500)

Best Drama Series

  • Shogun (-1000)
  • Slow Horses (+600)
  • The Day Of The Jackal (+800)
  • The Diplomat (+800)
  • Evil (+800)
  • Industry (+900)
  • The Old Man (+1200)
  • Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire (+1000)

Shogun has dominated conversations since it debuted last year, and it’s no surprise at all to see it emerging the odds-on favorite to win Best Drama Series at -1000. The series’s intricate storytelling, high production values, and stellar ensemble cast have affirmed its reputation as a critical success story. Based on the early odds, it’s a pretty good bet to completely dominate the TV categories on Friday night.

While The Diplomat and Slow Horses have garnered their share of acclaim, they lack the cultural impact and ambitious scope of Shogun. It’s a bummer – especially considering Gary Oldman’s steady greatness in Slow Horses – but Shogun is very difficult to bet against.

Shows like The Old Man and Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire are strong contenders but lack the same critical momentum. It’s a little boring, but I’m having a very hard time finding good value other than the clear-cut favorite.

Bet: Shogun (-1000)

Best Comedy Series

  • Hacks (-1000)
  • Abbott Elementary (+800)
  • Only Murders In The Building (+900)
  • What We Do In The Shadows (+900)
  • English Teacher (+800)
  • Nobody Wants This (+900)
  • St Denis Medical (+1000)
  • Somebody Somewhere (+900)

Hacks continues to deliver top-tier comedy and performances, making it the clear favorite to win Best Comedy Series. The show’s sharp writing and stellar performances – particularly from its lead Jean Smart – have made it a consistent winner in previous awards shows. Smart won Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the Critics Choice awards in 2022 and 2023, and she’s fairly likely to add a third trophy to her mantle this year.

While Abbott Elementary is a beloved fan favorite, its lighter tone doesn’t match the emotional depth of Hacks. That said, this is still a comedy category, and the +800 odds offer a ton of upside if Hacks fails to win.

Only Murders In The Building and What We Do In The Shadows offer compelling cases, but they don’t carry the same level of awards buzz as Hacks. Because it’s boring to pick nothing but favorites, I think I’d take a flier on Abbott Elementary to pull the upset at +800.

Bet: Abbott Elementary (+800)

Best Movie Made for Television

  • The Great Lillian Hall (-150)
  • Rebel Ridge (+200)
  • It’s What’s Inside (+400)
  • Musica (+400)
  • VHS Beyond (+400)
  • Out Of My Mind (+500)

The Great Lillian Hall (-150) edges out competitors with its compelling story and strong performances. The film’s mix of heartfelt drama and outstanding production quality sets it apart.

Rebel Ridge offers stiff competition with its gripping narrative, but it hasn’t quite generated the same level of critical acclaim. Other contenders like It’s What’s Inside and Musica are well-regarded but haven’t garnered as much attention as The Great Lillian Hall.

The Great Lillian Hall is the frontrunner, but it’s hardly an overwhelming favorite. I’ll shoot for the upside with Rebel Ridge at the +200 odds here.

Bet: Rebel Ridge (+200)

Best Limited Series

  • True Detective: Night Country (-500)
  • Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (+2000)
  • Masters Of The Air (+1600)
  • Ripley (+1500)
  • The Penguin (+150)
  • We Were The Lucky Ones (+1500)
  • Disclaimer (+1000)

True Detective: Night Country is expected to take home the award for Best Limited Series. The anthology series has been rather hit-or-miss over the years, but the latest iteration drew impressive reviews.

The -500 odds indicate True Detective: Night Country will be tough to beat, but this is a stacked category.

While The Penguin has emerged as a strong contender, other long-shots like Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office and Masters of the Air are series that would likely win this category in most other years. Other series, such as Disclaimer, have solid performances but lack the same level of prestige.

Once again, I’m willing to roll the dice on one of the shows with longer, more potentially profitable odds. The Penguin at +150 gets my vote.

Bet: The Penguin (+150)

Critics Choice Awards Winners

The following is a list of the most recent Critics Choice Awards winners:

YearBest PictureBest Drama Series
2024OppenheimerSuccession
2023Everything Everywhere All At OnceBetter Call Saul
2022The Power of the DogSuccession
2021NomadlandThe Crown
2020ParasiteThe Handmaid’s Tale
20191917Fleabag
2018RomaThe Americans
2017The Shape of WaterThe Handmaid’s Tale
2016La La LandGame of Thrones
2015SpotlightMr. Robot

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