AwardsWatch’s 50 Favorite Performances of 2015
After the first phase unveiled the finalists for AwardsWatch’s 50 Favorite Performances of 2015, we are now ready to reveal the winners. Ahead of the reveal, here are some fun facts and trivia about who made the cut.
• 92 ballots were received during the final round of voting
• To avoid ties when they happened, the edge was given to those who appeared in more lists
• Number of female performances appearing on this list : 30
• Number of male performances appearing on this list : 20
• 41 performances received #1 placement
• 3 performances from Phase I received ZERO mentions in Phase II
A huge thanks to AW forum members Ali Benz, who compiled the ballots, and to olivivien (who isn’t from the U.S., hence the ‘u’ in ‘favourite), who made the gorgeous graphics. On with the countdown.
As a little amuse bouche, here are the 5 performances that made it juuust outside the top 50:
55. Nicholas Hoult, Mad Max: Fury Road
54. Shu Qi, The Assassin
53. Sylvester Stallone, Creed
52. Alicia Vikander, Testament of Youth
51. Michael Shannon, 99 Homes
A note: there are two spelling mistakes in two of the graphics but fear not, they’re being updated soon. Just try not to give olivivien too hard a time.
The LIST…
- Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) Television and Nonfiction Nominations Announced: ‘Adolescence,’ ‘Black Mirror,’ ‘Slow Horses’ and More - March 20, 2026
- Trailer Watch: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ ‘Dune: Part Three,’ Disclosure Day,’ ‘Wild Horse Nine’ - March 20, 2026
- Six Join 51st Residence of the Festival de Cannes, including Harry Lighton, Mansi Maheshwari, Oliver McGoldrick - March 20, 2026


Director Watch Podcast Ep. 144 – ‘A Matter of Life and Death (Powell and Pressburger, 1946) with Special Guest Jesse Nussman
Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) Television and Nonfiction Nominations Announced: ‘Adolescence,’ ‘Black Mirror,’ ‘Slow Horses’ and More
Trailer Watch: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ ‘Dune: Part Three,’ Disclosure Day,’ ‘Wild Horse Nine’
‘Anima’ Review: Sydney Chandler and Takehiro Hira Ground Brian Tetsuro Ivie’s Low-Fi Sci-Fi Road Movie [B+] SXSW