The 2026 Critics Choice Awards ceremony, held on January 4 in Los Angeles and hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, celebrated Hollywood's finest with "One Battle After Another" taking home the prestigious Best Picture award and Timothée Chalamet winning Best Actor for his acclaimed performance in "Marty Supreme."
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" dominated the evening, with the director also securing the Best Director trophy. The film's victory came just a day after winning Best Picture from the National Society of Film Critics, completing a rare sweep of the "Big Four" critics associations and positioning it as a frontrunner heading into Oscar season.
Timothée Chalamet delivered an emotional acceptance speech for his Best Actor win, taking a moment to honor his longtime girlfriend Kylie Jenner. "Thank you to my partner for three years. I love you. I couldn't do this without you," the actor declared from the stage. Chalamet portrayed aspiring ping-pong champion Marty Mauser in the film, beating out a competitive field that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Joel Edgerton, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Wagner Moura.
Jessie Buckley claimed the Best Actress award for her powerful performance in "Hamnet," while Jacob Elordi took home Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Frankenstein." Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons."
Ryan Coogler's "Sinners," which led all films with 17 nominations, earned four trophies including Best Original Screenplay, Best Young Actor/Actress for Miles Caton, Best Casting/Acting Ensemble, and Best Score. "Frankenstein" also had a strong showing, winning awards for production design, costume design, and hair and makeup in addition to Elordi's acting prize.
On the television side, Netflix's "Adolescence" dominated with four wins, including Best Limited Series. Stephen Graham won Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie, while Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty took home Supporting Actor and Actress awards respectively. "The Pitt" and "The Studio" also claimed multiple television honors.
The ceremony featured a touching tribute to the late Diane Keaton by host Chelsea Handler, who changed into one of her outfit styles during the show. The Critics Choice Awards serve as a key indicator for Academy Award nominations, making this year's results particularly significant for awards season prognosticators.
The evening marked another milestone in what has been a remarkable awards season, with several films and performances emerging as clear favorites heading into the Golden Globes and Oscars.
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