Palm Springs and Lovecraft Country have scooped up the highest number of nominations at the first-ever Critics Choice Super Awards.
The upcoming awards show honors both film and TV shows in the science fiction/fantasy, superhero, action, horror, and animation genres.
The Hulu movie Palm Springs is the most-nominated film with five nods, while HBO series Lovecraft Country leads the TV nominations with six potential honors.
Top contenders! Palm Springs and Lovecraft Country have scooped up the highest number of nominations at the first-ever Critics Choice Super Awards
Airing January 10, 2021 on The CW, the inaugural awards show will be hosted by Kevin Smith and Dani Fernandez, and will be produced with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.
Palm Springs is up for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie, Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie for Andy Samberg, Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie for Cristin Milioti, and Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie and Best Villain in a Movie for J.K. Simmons.
Birds of Prey, Freaky, Onward, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Hunt, The Old Guard, and The Willoughbys are among the films nominated for four awards.
Meanwhile, Lovecraft Country is up for Best Horror Series, Best Actor in a Horror Series for Jonathan Majors, Best Actor in a Horror Series for Michael K. Williams, Best Villain in a Series for Abbey Lee, Best Actress in a Horror Series for Wunmi Mosaku, and Best Actress in a Horror Series for Jurnee Smollett.
Watch out! Lovecraft Country leads the TV nominations with six potential honors
About time! Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti are both up for awards for their performances in the time-bending Hulu film
Another top TV contender is The Boys, which is up for five nominations.
The most-nominated individual this year is Hilary Swank, who is being recognized for her work in both film and television with three nods.
Hilary is up for Best Actress In An Action Movie for The Hunt, Best Villain In A Movie for The Hunt, and Best Actress In A Science Fiction/Fantasy Series for Away.
Similarly, Maya Rudolph and Jurnee Smollett have also been honored for their work in both mediums.
It’s an honor: Jurnee Smollett has been recognized for her work in both film and television
So fly! Birds of Prey has been nominated for four awards at the inaugural event
Looking good: The Vince Vaughn led film Freaky has also garnered four nods
In addition, Star Trek will be honored for it’s cultural impact and fan appeal with the Legacy Award.
Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin shared his excitement in honoring the ‘underappreciated’ genres that ‘often go overlooked.’
‘What a celebration this is going to be!’ Joey said in a press release. ‘We are so pleased to be spotlighting the brilliant work of so many artists who bring to life some of the most engaging and beloved movies and television series!
Competition: The Hunt is up for multiple awards, including Best Actress In An Action Movie for Hilary Swank
Oh boy! The Amazon series The Boys is up for five nominations
Loads of fun: The animated film The Willoughbys has scored four nominations
‘We are certain that Kevin and Dani will serve as tremendous hosts, who, as fans themselves, will bring energy and enthusiasm to the stage, as we honor these genres that so often go overlooked and underappreciated.’
The show intends to shine a light on the genres which often aren’t recognized at larger awards show.
In an interview with Deadline, Berlin said that while horror and action films are honored at the Critics Choice Awards, the recognition doesn’t make it to air.
Out of this world! Swank has been recognized for her work in The Hunt and Away
Live long and prosper: In addition, Star Trek will be honored for it’s cultural impact and fan appeal with the Legacy Award
‘We have given out Best Horror movie and action movie and animated series and those things, and they often didn’t get on the air. Just like we broke out the Documentary awards into their own event, and we broke out the Reality Television for the same reasons because there is good stuff that doesn’t get to shine on its own at the Critics Choice Awards. I think it makes a lot of sense, and I think it is going to be really entertaining. I think it can really grow into its own annual event.’
Additionally, winners will be notified in advance to deliver a pre-taped acceptance speech.
Even before the pandemic, the team envisioned making the show virtual.
‘We’ve been developing this for two years, and from day one we always thought it would be a virtual show. We never thought it would make sense to try and get all these superhero players and voice talent and so on to come to an event like they do for the Critics Choice Awards. From day one we saw it as a taped television special , not a big party event. This is no change. It was a virtual celebration from day one.’
‘We honor these genres that so often go overlooked’: The awards show intends to shine a light on the genres which often aren’t recognized at larger awards show