Awards season officially kicked into high gear with the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, setting an early tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive Oscar race.
Held as the first major televised precursor of the year, the ceremony offered a telling snapshot of critical consensus, spotlighting the films and series that have dominated conversations across cinema and television over the past year.
Leading the night was One Battle After Another, which continued its critical momentum by claiming Best Picture, along with wins for director and adapted screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson. The film’s sweep followed a rare run across major critics groups, positioning it as one of the season’s most formidable contenders.
Acting honors went to Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, marking a significant early milestone in what many expect to be a defining awards season for both performers.
Genre filmmaking made a strong showing as well. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein emerged as the most awarded films of the night, each securing four wins across writing, acting, and craft categories—an emphatic signal of critics embracing ambitious, stylized storytelling. Horror also broke through with Amy Madigan’s supporting win for Weapons, underscoring the genre’s growing critical recognition.
On the television side, Adolescence led with four wins, while standout performances from Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus), Jean Smart (Hacks), and Seth Rogen (The Studio) reinforced the season’s depth across platforms and genres.
Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the ceremony reflected a year where critics spread the love — rewarding both prestige favorites and unexpected breakthroughs alike.
Below is the complete list of winners from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
FILM
Best Picture
“One Battle After Another”
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Best Supporting Actor
Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein”
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Madigan, “Weapons”
Best Young Actor / Actress
Miles Caton, “Sinners”
Best Casting and Ensemble
Francine Maisler, “Sinners”
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Best Original Screenplay
Ryan Coogler, “Sinners”
Best Adapted Screenplay
Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another”
Best Animated Feature
“KPop Demon Hunters”
Best Comedy
“The Naked Gun”
Best Foreign-Language Film
“The Secret Agent”
Best Cinematography
“Train Dreams”
Best Editing
“F1”
Best Costume Design
“Frankenstein”
Best Production Design
“Frankenstein”
Best Score
“Sinners”
Best Song
“Golden” – Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy – “KPop Demon Hunters”
Best Hair and Makeup
“Frankenstein”
Best Visual Effects
“Avatar: Fire and Ash”
Best Stunt Design
“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning”
Best Sound
“F1”
Television
Best Drama Series
“The Pitt”
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus”
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Tramell Tillman, “Severance”
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Katherine LaNasa, “The Pitt”
Best Comedy Series
“The Studio”
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart, “Hacks”
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Seth Rogan, “The Studio”
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ike Barinholtz, “The Studio”
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”
Best Comedy Special
“SNL50: The Anniversary Special”
Best Limited Series
“Adolescence”
Best Movie Made for Television
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”
Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Stephen Graham, “Adolescence”
Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Owen Cooper, “Adolescence”
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Erin Doherty, “Adolescence”
Best Talk Show
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Best Variety Series
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”
Best Animated Series
“South Park”
Best Foreign Language Series
“Squid Game”
Which wins surprised you the most? Share your thoughts with us on X and Instagram, and keep reading Lyrical Muse for Awards season coverage and more.
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