The Critics Choice Awards for 2026 took center stage on January 4, celebrating the finest achievements in film and television from the previous year. Comedian and television host Chelsea Handler returned for her fourth consecutive year as the event’s host, broadcasting live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The awards ceremony, which commenced at 19:00 ET (16:00 PT), showcased a competitive lineup of nominees and winners across various categories.
Leading the film nominations was Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” which received an impressive total of 17 nods, just one shy of the record held by Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” Following closely was Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” with 14 nominations. On the television side, “Adolescence” topped the charts with six nominations, including a nod for Best Limited Series, while “Nobody Wants This” garnered five nominations.
In an effort to further recognize creative contributions, the Critics Choice Association introduced new categories this year: Best Stunt Design, Best Casting/Ensemble, and Best Sound. These additions highlight the diverse talents involved in making exceptional film and television.
As the evening unfolded, winners were announced across numerous categories, with each winner marked in bold. Below is a selection of the notable winners from the event:
Key Winners of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
Best Picture was awarded to “Sinners” (Warner Bros.), showcasing the film’s strong reception. The Best Actor award went to Michael B. Jordan for his performance in “Sinners,” while Jessie Buckley took home the Best Actress title for her role in “Hamnet” (Focus Features).
The award for Best Director was given to Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another.” For Best Supporting Actor, the winner was Benicio del Toro from “One Battle After Another,” while Elle Fanning won Best Supporting Actress for her work in “Sentimental Value” (Neon).
The Best Limited Series award went to “Adolescence,” which also saw Stephen Graham earning the Best Actor in a Limited Series award for his performance. In the comedy categories, Kristen Bell received the Best Actress in a Comedy Series award for “Nobody Wants This,” while Adam Brody won Best Actor in a Comedy Series for the same show.
The ceremony not only celebrated mainstream successes but also acknowledged international contributions with the Best Foreign Language Film award going to “It Was Just an Accident” (Neon).
As the awards wrapped up, the atmosphere reflected a blend of excitement and recognition for the creativity and hard work of the nominees and winners alike. The Critics Choice Awards continue to play a significant role in the film and television landscape, setting the stage for further recognition as award season progresses.
