The 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards delivered an exciting night for film and television fans, honoring the most acclaimed projects of the year. Held on January 4, 2026, in Santa Monica, the ceremony brought together Hollywood’s biggest stars and celebrated bold storytelling, powerful performances, and standout technical achievements. From major wins for One Battle After Another and Sinners to television favorites like The Pitt and Adolescence, this year’s Critics’ Choice Awards proved once again why the event is considered a strong predictor for the Oscars and Emmys.
Below is the complete list of winners from the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards, along with key takeaways from the night.
2026 Critics’ Choice: Film Categories Winners
| Category | Winner/Film |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another |
| Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme |
| Best Actress | Jessie Buckley – Hamnet |
| Best Supporting Actor | Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein |
| Best Supporting Actress | Amy Madigan – Weapons |
| Best Young Actor/Actress | Miles Caton – Sinners |
| Best Original Screenplay | Ryan Coogler – Sinners |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another |
| Best Comedy Film | The Naked Gun |
| Best Animated Feature | KPop Demon Hunters |
| Best Foreign-Language Film | The Secret Agent |
| Best Song | “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters |
| Best Score | Ludwig Göransson – Sinners |
Technical & Craft Excellence Awards
| Category | Winner/Film |
|---|---|
| Best Cinematography | Adolpho Veloso – Train Dreams |
| Best Production Design | Tamara Deverell & Shane Vieau – Frankenstein |
| Best Costume Design | Kate Hawley – Frankenstein |
| Best Hair & Makeup | Frankenstein |
| Best Visual Effects | Avatar: Fire and Ash |
| Best Stunt Design | Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning |
One Battle After Another: Historic Triple Crown
Paul Thomas Anderson’s war epic sweeps Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay—cementing 2026 as his year. The film’s intimate portrayal of soldiers navigating moral collapse resonated with critics: authentic tradecraft, 4-hour runtime respected as feature-length poetry rather than indulgence. Anderson’s acceptance speech: “Critics taught me cinema matters more than profit margins.”
One Battle After Another’s quiet power—dialogue-driven, handheld cameras, natural lighting—defied blockbuster noise dominating 2025. Oscar frontrunner status now locked; SAG Awards convergence predicted.
Acting Excellence: Breakout Winners
Timothée Chalamet’s Best Actor for Marty Supreme marks second consecutive Critics’ Choice win—proof of consistent brilliance. Jessie Buckley’s Hamnet victory (8-minute standing ovation) signals overdue recognition: her fragmented performance as Anne Hathaway emotional core earned emotional ovation. Jacob Elordi’s Frankenstein breakthrough (Supporting Actor) launches global recognition post-Euphoria.
Amy Madigan’s Weapons upset (Supporting Actress) celebrates veteran craft—73-year-old actress proving age irrelevant when talent speaks. Miles Caton’s Young Actor win (Sinners) crowns generational talent.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Visual Effects Crown
James Cameron’s underwater Na’vi sequences (18K HFR bioluminescence) clinched Best Visual Effects over Mission: Impossible and Dune 3. Critics praised practical/digital seamlessness—no obvious seams between WETA motion capture and environmental photogrammetry. Avatar’s VFX dominance extends to Oscar frontrunner status.
Frankenstein’s production design/costume sweep (Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau, Kate Hawley) celebrates 1820s Geneva authenticity—every candle practical, every fabric period-accurate.
Television Winners: Streaming’s Big Night
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Drama Series | The Pitt |
| Best Actor in Drama | Noah Wyle – The Pitt |
| Best Actress in Drama | Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus |
| Best Comedy Series | The Studio |
| Best Actor in Comedy | Seth Rogen – The Studio |
| Best Actress in Comedy | Jean Smart – Hacks |
| Best Limited Series | Adolescence |
| Best Actor in Limited Series | Stephen Graham – Adolescence |
| Best Actress in Limited Series | Sarah Snook – All Her Fault |
| Best TV Movie | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy |
| Best Variety Series | Last Week Tonight with John Oliver |
| Best Animated Series | South Park |
| Best Foreign-Language Series | Squid Game |
| Best Comedy Special | SNL50: The Anniversary Special |
Television Trends: Severance’s Supporting Domination
Severance’s Tramell Tillman wins Best Supporting Actor in Drama, capping phenomenal season for sci-fi prestige TV. Noah Wyle’s The Pitt beats Shrinking, Yellowstone for Best Drama—proof medical procedurals resonate when anchored by A-list ensembles. Jean Smart’s Hacks hat-trick (Critics’, SAG, BAFTA predicted) cements septuagenarian renaissance.
Streaming sweep: The Studio (comedy), Adolescence (limited), Pluribus (actress drama) dominate traditional networks. Last Week Tonight’s variety series win reflects critics’ appetite for satirical intelligence over variety spectacle.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards winners highlight a year filled with creative risks, diverse storytelling, and unforgettable performances. Whether you’re catching up on the best films of the year or adding new shows to your watchlist, these winners offer a reliable guide to what critics loved most. Stay tuned for more awards coverage, predictions, and entertainment news as the 2026 awards season continues.
