31st Annual Critics Choice Awards: Winners & Nominees

By: Pamela Price
Featured, Film, TV
January 5, 2026, 9:12 am
Photo Credits: Critics Choice Awards

The Critics Choice Awards returned to Santa Monica on Sunday, January 4, 2026, bringing together the industry’s most celebrated talent for a night honoring excellence across film, television, and streaming. Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the 31st annual ceremony aired live on both coasts across E! and USA Network.

Held once again at the Barker Hangar, the Critics Choice Awards continued their combined film and television format, underscoring their reputation as one of the most closely watched predictors of the Academy Awards while also recognizing the evolving landscape of premium television and streaming storytelling.

One Battle After Another emerged as the evening’s most honored film, taking Best Picture and Best Director.

Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley claimed the top acting honors in the film categories. Breakout performances were spotlighted, including Miles Caton, who received Best Young Actor/Actress. On the television side, The Pitt, The Studio, and Adolescence led the night, reinforcing critics’ enthusiasm for bold, character-driven series.

FILM AWARDS — NOMINEES & WINNERS

Best Picture

WINNER: One Battle After Another
Nominees:
Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, Sinners, Train Dreams, Wicked: For Good

Best Director

WINNER: Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
Nominees:
Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), Chloé Zhao (Hamnet)

Best Actor

WINNER: Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
Nominees:
Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)

Best Actress

WINNER: Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
Nominees:
Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee), Emma Stone (Bugonia)

Best Supporting Actor

WINNER: Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein
Nominees:
Benicio del Toro (One Battle After Another), Paul Mescal (Hamnet), Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), Adam Sandler (Jay Kelly), Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)

Best Supporting Actress

WINNER: Amy Madigan — Weapons
Nominees:
Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value), Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)

Best Young Actor/Actress

WINNER: Miles Caton — Sinners
Nominees:
Everett Blunck (The Plague), Cary Christopher (Weapons), Shannon Mahina Gorman (Rental Family), Jacobi Jupe (Hamnet), Nina Ye (Left-Handed Girl)

Best Original Screenplay

WINNER: Ryan Coogler — Sinners
Nominees:
Noah Baumbach & Emily Mortimer (Jay Kelly), Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Zach Cregger (Weapons), Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby), Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value)

Best Adapted Screenplay

WINNER: Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another

Best Casting / Ensemble

WINNER: Francine Maisler — Sinners
Nominees:
Nina Gold (Hamnet), Douglas Aibel & Nina Gold (Jay Kelly), Jennifer Venditti (Marty Supreme), Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another), Tiffany Little Canfield & Bernard Telsey (Wicked: For Good)

TELEVISION AWARDS — KEY WINNERS

Best Drama Series

WINNER: The Pitt

Best Comedy Series

WINNER: The Studio

Best Limited Series

WINNER: Adolescence

Notable Television Acting Wins