Critics’ Choice Awards 2026: A Night That Set the Tone for the Season

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the global film and television industry gathered at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, for the 31st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards—one of the most closely watched bellwethers of the awards season.

Hosted by comedian and television personality Chelsea Handler, the ceremony blended sharp humor with a strong statement of critical consensus, spotlighting films, performances, and creators likely to dominate conversations in the months ahead.

The Critics’ Choice Awards are where awards season stops speculating—and starts signaling.

A Defining Victory: Best Picture and Director

The evening’s most decisive triumph belonged to One Battle After Another, which emerged as the night’s Best Picture winner. The film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson, also claimed Best Director, cementing the project’s status as the season’s critical frontrunner.

This dual win underscored Anderson’s enduring influence on contemporary cinema, reaffirming his reputation for ambitious storytelling and uncompromising artistic vision.

When critics unite behind a film and its director, the rest of awards season listens.

Acting Honors Spotlight a New and Established Generation

The Critics’ Choice Awards 2026 offered a compelling mix of emerging talent and seasoned performers in its acting categories.

Best Actor went to Timothée Chalamet for his performance in Marty Supreme, praised for its intensity and emotional precision.
Best Actress was awarded to Jessie Buckley for her role in Hamnet, widely described as both restrained and devastating.
Best Supporting Actor honored Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, highlighting his growing range beyond leading-man roles.
Best Supporting Actress went to Amy Madigan for Weapons, a performance noted for its quiet authority.
Best Young Actor/Actress was claimed by Miles Caton for Sinners, marking a breakthrough moment for the young performer.

From rising stars to veteran scene-stealers, this year’s acting winners reflected a changing cinematic landscape.

Writing and Craft: Critics Reward the Builders of Cinema

Beyond headline performances, the ceremony paid significant attention to the creative forces behind the screen.

Sinners stood out with its Best Original Screenplay win for Ryan Coogler, recognized for blending narrative urgency with thematic depth. The film also earned the newly introduced Best Casting and Ensemble award, awarded to casting director Francine Maisler, signaling a broader appreciation for collaborative storytelling.

Meanwhile, Frankenstein made its presence felt across technical and craft categories, reinforcing the Critics’ Choice tradition of acknowledging excellence beyond marquee names.

The Critics’ Choice Awards remind us that cinema is built as much by craft as by charisma.

A Ceremony That Balanced Celebration and Legacy

In addition to competitive awards, the evening included a heartfelt tribute to filmmakers Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, honoring their lasting contributions to film and storytelling. The moment served as a reminder that while the ceremony celebrates the present, it remains deeply conscious of the past.

Setting the Narrative for Awards Season

As one of the year’s earliest major televised awards shows, the Critics’ Choice Awards once again played its traditional role: shaping expectations, validating critical favorites, and sharpening the narratives that will carry forward to upcoming ceremonies.

With decisive wins for One Battle After Another, standout acting honors, and renewed focus on craft categories, the 31st Critics’ Choice Awards did more than hand out trophies—they defined the critical mood of 2026.

At the Critics’ Choice Awards, momentum isn’t predicted—it’s declared.