The 59th National Board of Review Awards were announced on December 15, 1987, and given on 16 February, 1988.

Top 10 films

1. Empire of the Sun
2. The Last Emperor
3. Broadcast News
4. The Untouchables
5. Gaby: A True Story
6. Cry Freedom
7. Fatal Attraction
8. Hope and Glory
9. Wall Street
10. Full Metal Jacket

Top Foreign Films

1. Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources
2. My Life as a Dog
3. Au revoir les enfants
4. Tampopo
5. Dark Eyes

Winners

• Best Picture:
  • Empire of the Sun
• Best Foreign Language Film (tie):
  • Jean de Florette, France
  • Manon des sources (Manon of the Spring), France
• Best Actor:
  • Michael Douglas - Wall Street
• Best Actress (tie):
  • Lillian Gish - The Whales of August
  • Holly Hunter - Broadcast News
• Best Supporting Actor:
  • Sean Connery - The Untouchables
• Best Supporting Actress:
  • Olympia Dukakis - Moonstruck
• Best Director:
  • Steven Spielberg - Empire of the Sun
• Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor (special citation)
  • Christian Bale - Empire of the Sun
• Best Documentary:
  • Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll
• Career Achievement Award:
  • Lillian Gish