The Critics Choice Awards 2026 fired the starting gun with confidence, chaos, and just enough heartfelt speeches to make everyone briefly believe in love again. On January 4, the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica transformed into Hollywood’s group chat in real life—directed by critics, judged by peers, and narrated by host Chelsea Handler, who came armed with jokes sharp enough to cut through designer gowns.
This year’s ceremony didn’t just hand out trophies. It set the tone for the entire awards season, reminding everyone why critics still matter in a world of streaming algorithms and viral clips. Films that dared to be bold were rewarded. TV shows that trusted the audience’s intelligence cleaned up. And a few unexpected names walked away with statues, leaving the internet scrambling to update hot takes in real time.
From Paul Thomas Anderson’s quiet dominance to Timothée Chalamet proving—once again—that he is both a serious actor and a walking pop-culture moment, the night balanced prestige with personality. Add in red carpet romance, fashion risks, and a couple of genuine surprise wins, and you’ve got a ceremony that felt less like homework and more like a very glamorous group opinion.
Below is the Critics Choice Awards 2026 winners list, unpacked with context, commentary, and the kind of details that actually make the results fun to read. This isn’t just who won—it’s why it mattered, who shocked us, and which victories might echo all the way to Oscar night.
Before diving deep into the trophies, it helps to zoom out and look at how the film categories shaped the narrative of the night, because that’s where the big themes first revealed themselves.
The Big Picture: Films That Ruled the Night
Let’s start with the crown jewel. Best Picture Critics Choice Awards 2026 went to One Battle After Another, a win that felt both expected and earned. Paul Thomas Anderson’s film didn’t scream for attention; it simmered. Like a slow-burning candle, it filled the room before anyone realized how bright it was. Critics rewarded its patience, craft, and emotional weight—and in doing so, sent a clear message about what kind of storytelling they value this year.
This win anchored the Critics Choice Awards film winners 2026, positioning One Battle After Another as a serious awards-season heavyweight. It also gave Anderson a Best Director trophy, making him one of the biggest winners at Critics Choice Awards 2026. When a director wins both picture and direction, it’s like the critics saying, “Yes, this was exactly what we meant.”
Then came Best Actor Critics Choice Awards 2026, where Timothée Chalamet took the stage for Marty Supreme. His performance was intense, vulnerable, and strangely magnetic—like watching someone juggle fire while whispering poetry. The win confirmed what many suspected: this wasn’t just another “good Timothée performance.” It was a defining one.
His acceptance speech added a softer layer to the night, especially with his heartfelt shoutout to Kylie Jenner. That moment spilled straight into fashion and celebrity chatter, seamlessly connecting the winners list to the best dressed conversations happening across the internet.
On the actress side, Best Actress Critics Choice Awards 2026 went to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet. Her performance felt lived-in, raw, and quietly devastating. Buckley didn’t just act; she inhabited grief. Critics rewarded that bravery, and the win stood out as one of the Critics Choice Awards 2026 standout winners—a reminder that subtle performances can still steal the spotlight.
Supporting Roles That Stole the Show
If leading roles are the headlines, supporting performances are the paragraphs that make the story unforgettable. Jacob Elordi’s Best Supporting Actor win for Frankenstein was one of the night’s most talked-about moments. Known widely for his on-screen charisma, Elordi surprised critics by delivering something restrained, eerie, and emotionally layered.
His shocked reaction—“Bloody hell”—instantly became meme material, earning its place among the Critics Choice Awards 2026 highlights. This was one of those wins that repositions an actor’s career overnight, marking it as both a Critics Choice Awards 2026 surprise win and a turning point.
Amy Madigan’s Best Supporting Actress win for Weapons added another thoughtful note. Her performance didn’t demand attention; it earned it. Critics clearly appreciated the quiet strength she brought to the screen, making her win feel like a nod to experience, nuance, and craft.
Fashion, Fame, and the Red Carpet Energy
Awards may be about trophies, but let’s be honest—they’re also about the outfits. The red carpet buzzed long before the first envelope was opened. Kylie Jenner’s presence alone was enough to set social feeds on fire, and comparisons to iconic looks from the red carpet moments of past years were inevitable.
Fashion conversations flowed effortlessly into broader reflections on previous awards, especially as viewers compared Critics Choice style to recent Emmys and Golden Globes. This cross-awards fashion dialogue keeps celebrity culture alive between ceremonies and reinforces why critics’ events matter beyond the trophies.
Technical Brilliance and Behind-the-Scenes Wins
Some of the most interesting Critics Choice Awards results 2026 came from technical categories. Frankenstein dominated Best Costume Design and Best Hair and Makeup, proving that world-building still counts. These wins highlighted the artistry behind the camera—the designers, artists, and craftspeople who turn scripts into immersive experiences.
In visual effects, Avatar: Fire and Ash claimed Best Visual Effects, reminding everyone that spectacle still has a place when done right. This category win reinforced why critics continue to value technical excellence alongside emotional storytelling.
Animation, Comedy, and Genre Love
Animation had its moment with KPop Demon Hunters winning Best Animated Feature, a victory that felt joyful and modern. It blended pop culture with heart, earning its spot among the Critics Choice Awards 2026 movie and TV winners that genuinely surprised audiences.
Comedy also made waves. The Naked Gun took Best Comedy, signaling critics’ appreciation for humor that doesn’t apologize for being silly. On television, The Studio dominated comedy categories, including Best Comedy Series, with Seth Rogen snagging Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
Jean Smart’s Best Actress in a Comedy Series win for Hacks felt like a victory lap for a performer who continues to redefine longevity in television. Her win stood tall among the Critics Choice TV Awards 2026 winners, proving that consistency still matters.
Drama Series That Defined the Year
When it came to drama, The Pitt emerged as a standout. Winning Best Drama Series and Best Actor in a Drama Series for Noah Wyle, it cemented its place as one of the Critics Choice Awards television winners 2026 that critics rallied behind.
Rhea Seehorn’s Best Actress in a Drama Series win for Pluribus felt long overdue. Known for layered performances, she finally received a critics’ crown, making her one of the most celebrated celebrities who won Critics Choice Awards 2026.
Limited Series and TV Movies: Quiet Powerhouses
Limited series often sneak up on people, and Adolescence proved that point by winning Best Limited Series. Stephen Graham’s performance earned him Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television, while Owen Cooper’s supporting win added depth to the show’s awards haul.
Sarah Snook’s Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made For Television win for All Her Fault felt especially meaningful, highlighting how TV movies continue to blur lines with prestige cinema.
Snubs, Surprises, and Final Thoughts
Every awards show has its “how did that not win?” moments, and the Critics Choice Awards 2026 snubs and surprises were no exception. A few fan favorites walked away empty-handed, while under-the-radar performances soared. That tension is part of the fun—it keeps conversations alive long after the lights dim.
Looking at the full list of Critics Choice Awards 2026 winners, one thing is clear: critics rewarded risk, patience, and storytelling that trusts its audience. Whether it was film, television, or animation, the winners reflected a year where quality mattered more than hype.
So, who won at the Critics Choice Awards 2026? The answer is bigger than names on a list. The real winners were stories that dared to slow down, actors who pushed past expectations, and creators who trusted that critics—and audiences—would meet them halfway.
This Critics Choice Awards 2026 complete winners rundown isn’t just a recap. It’s a snapshot of where entertainment is headed next. And if this ceremony is any indication, the rest of awards season is about to get very interesting.
| Critics Choice Awards 2026: Complete Winners List | |
|---|---|
| Introduction / Early overview of winners | The ceremony kicked off the awards season with excitement, rewarding films that dared to be bold. Check out more on the film categories. |
| Best Young Actor/Actress |
Everett Blunck – The Plague (Independent Film Company) Miles Caton – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Cary Christopher – Weapons (Warner Bros.) Shannon Mahina Gorman – Rental Family (Searchlight Pictures) Jacobi Jupe – Hamnet (Focus Features) Nina Ye – Left-Handed Girl (Netflix) |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series |
Patrick Ball – The Pitt (HBO Max) Billy Crudup – The Morning Show (Apple TV) Ato Essandoh – The Diplomat (Netflix) Wood Harris – Forever (Netflix) Tom Pelphrey – Task (HBO Max) Tramell Tillman – Severance (Apple TV) |
| Best Picture |
Bugonia (Focus Features) Frankenstein (Netflix) Hamnet (Focus Features) Jay Kelly (Netflix) Marty Supreme (A24) One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Sentimental Value (Neon) Sinners (Warner Bros.) Train Dreams (Netflix) Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) |
| Best Actor |
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme (A24) Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams (Netflix) Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon (Sony Pictures Classics) Michael B. Jordan – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent (Neon) |
| Best Actress |
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet (Focus Features) Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (A24) Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value (Neon) Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee (Searchlight Pictures) Emma Stone – Bugonia (Focus Features) |
| Best Supporting Actor |
Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein (Netflix) Paul Mescal – Hamnet (Focus Features) Sean Penn – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Adam Sandler – Jay Kelly (Netflix) Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value (Neon) |
| Best Supporting Actress |
Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value (Neon) Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) (best dressed) Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value (Neon) Amy Madigan – Weapons (Warner Bros.) Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) |
| Best Director |
Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Ryan Coogler – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein (Netflix) Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme (A24) Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value (Neon) Chloé Zhao – Hamnet (Focus Features) |
| Best Casting and Ensemble |
Nina Gold – Hamnet (Focus Features) Douglas Aibel, Nina Gold – Jay Kelly (Netflix) Jennifer Venditti – Marty Supreme (A24) Cassandra Kulukundis – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) Francine Maisler – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard Telsey – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) (red carpet / previous awards) |
| Best Costume Design |
Kate Hawley – Frankenstein (Netflix) Malgosia Turzanska – Hamnet (Focus Features) Lindsay Pugh – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios) Colleen Atwood, Christine Cantella – Kiss of the Spider Woman (Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions) Ruth E. Carter – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Paul Tazewell – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) |
| Best Hair and Makeup |
Hair and Makeup Team – 28 Years Later (Sony Pictures) Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey – Frankenstein (Netflix) Siân Richards, Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, Shunika Terry – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Kazu Hiro, Felix Fox, Mia Neal – The Smashing Machine (A24) Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat, Jason Collins – Weapons (Warner Bros.) Frances Hannon, Mark Coulier, Laura Blount – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) |
| Best Visual Effects |
Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett – Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios) Ryan Tudhope, Nikeah Forde, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier, Eric Leven, Edward Price, Keith Dawson – F1 (Apple Original Films) Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess, Ivan Busquets, José Granell – Frankenstein (Netflix) Alex Wuttke, Ian Lowe, Jeff Sutherland, Kirstin Hall – Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount Pictures) Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean – Sinners (Warner Bros.) Stephane Ceretti, Enrico Damm, Stéphane Nazé, Guy Williams – Superman (Warner Bros.) |
