The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards, held on January 4, 2026, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, saw some surprising wins and predictable snubs, with Sinners, Frankenstein, and Adolescence emerging as major talking points. Hosted by Chelsea Handler for the fourth consecutive year, the ceremony honored the best in film and television, as determined by the Critics Choice Association.
Ryan Coogler's Sinners entered the evening with a staggering 17 nominations, leading the film categories. However, the vampire film, starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, ultimately took home four awards, including Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Best Casting and Ensemble (Francine Maisler), Best Score (Ludwig Goransson), and Best Young Actor/Actress (Miles Caton).
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another was the night's big winner, grabbing the coveted Best Picture award. Anderson also secured Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay awards for the film. The film garnered 14 nominations going into the event. Leonardo DiCaprio starred in One Battle After Another, which director Paul Thomas Anderson called the 'best time I ever had making a movie'.
Frankenstein also had a strong showing, earning four awards. Jacob Elordi won Best Supporting Actor for his performance. The film also took home accolades for Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Hair and Makeup.
On the television side, Netflix's Adolescence dominated, winning all four of its nominated categories. These included Best Limited Series and Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for Stephen Graham. Owen Cooper and Ashley Walters also won for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television.
Other notable film winners included Timothée Chalamet for Best Actor in Marty Supreme, Jessie Buckley for Best Actress in Hamnet, and Amy Madigan for Best Supporting Actress in Weapons. Avatar: Fire and Ash won Best Visual Effects, while F1: The Movie took home awards for Best Sound and Best Editing.
In television, The Pitt emerged as a frontrunner in the drama categories, with Noah Wyle winning Best Actor in a Drama Series and Katherine LaNasa winning Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Rhea Seehorn won Best Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus, and Tramell Tillman secured Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Severance. In comedy, The Studio earned accolades, including Best Comedy Series, Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Seth Rogen, and Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Ike Barinholtz. Jean Smart won Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks, and Janelle James won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary.
The ceremony also introduced new categories this year, including Best Stunt Design, Best Casting and Ensemble, and Best Sound in movies. The Critics Choice Awards continue to be a significant predictor of success in the upcoming awards season, solidifying their place as a key event in the entertainment industry.
