Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director

The Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director is one of the awards given to film directors working in the film industry by the Critics Choice Association at the annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards. It was first given out to Mel Gibson for Braveheart in 1996 as a juried award. Until 2001, only the winner was presented; since then, a set of nominees is announced every year.

Awarded forBest Direction of a Motion Picture

LocationLos Angeles, California

Presented byCritics Choice Association

First awardMel Gibson for Braveheart (1995)

Quick facts for Best Director, Awarded for ...

Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director
2025 recipient: Paul Thomas Anderson
Awarded for	Best Direction of a Motion Picture
Location	Los Angeles, California
Presented by	Critics Choice Association
First award	Mel Gibson for Braveheart (1995)
Currently held by	Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another (2025)
Website	www.criticschoice.com

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Only four directors have received the award more than once with two wins each: Alfonso Cuarón, Sam Mendes, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg. The latter also holds the record of most nominations in the category with eight. Kathryn Bigelow, Jane Campion, and Chloé Zhao are the only female winners of the award.