The 28th National Board of Review Awards were announced on December 20, 1956.

Top Ten Films

1. Around the World in 80 Days
2. Moby Dick
3. The King and I
4. Lust for Life
5. Friendly Persuasion
6. Somebody Up There Likes Me
7. The Catered Affair
8. Anastasia
9. The Man Who Never Was
10. Bus Stop

Top Foreign Films

1. The Silent World
2. War and Peace
3. Richard III
4. La strada
5. Rififi

Winners

• Best Film: Around the World in 80 Days
• Best Foreign Film: The Silent World
• Best Actor: Yul Brynner (The King and I, Anastasia, The Ten Commandments)
• Best Actress: Dorothy McGuire (Friendly Persuasion)
• Best Supporting Actor: Richard Basehart (Moby Dick)
• Best Supporting Actress: Debbie Reynolds (The Catered Affair)
• Best Director: John Huston (Moby Dick)