Never heard of The Hurt Locker? You soon will.

Despite opening last summer in limited release, the war drama about an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit in Iraq has already collected a large number of awards.

The movie has now been honored by critics in New York, Boston and Los Angeles for Best Film. Additionally, Jeremy Renner has been acknowledged for his acting work while Kathryn Bigelow has been praised for her direction.

Others receiving multiple honors in this year’s lists include Mo’Nique (Precious), Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) and George Clooney (Up in the Air). You can see more award winners after the jump.

The 2009 New York Film Critics Circle award winners:

• Best Film: The Hurt Locker
• Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
• Best Actor: George Clooney, Up in the Air, Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Best Actress: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
• Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
• Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious
• Best Screenplay: In the Loop
• Best Foreign Language Film: Summer Hours
• Best Animated Film: Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Best Documentary: Of Time and The City

The 2009 Los Angeles Film Critics Association award winners:

• Best Film: The Hurt Locker
• Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
• Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
• Best Actress: Yolande Moreau, Seraphine
• Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
• Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious
• Best Screenplay: Up in the Air
• Best Foreign Language Film: Summer Hours
• Best Animated Film: Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Best Documentary: The Beaches of Agnes, The Cove (tie)

The 2009 Boston Society of Film Critics award winners:

• Best Film: The Hurt Locker
• Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
• Best Actor: Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
• Best Actress: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
• Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
• Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, Precious
• Best Screenplay: A Serious Man
• Best Animated Film: Up
• Best Documentary: The Cove

The 2009 National Board of Review award winners:

• Best Film: Up in the Air
• Best Director: Clint Eastwood, Invictus
• Best Actor: George Clooney, Up in the Air and Morgan Freeman, Invictus (tie)
• Best Actress: Carey Mulligan, An Education
• Best Supporting Actor: Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
• Best Supporting Actress: Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
• Best Original Screenplay: A Serious Man
• Best Foreign Language Film: A Prophet
• Best Animated Film: Up
• Best Documentary: The Cove