The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards kicked off awards season on January 4, 2026, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, with Chelsea Handler returning as host. And what a night it was—packed with surprises, breakout performances, and a few wins everyone saw coming from a mile away.
With more than 600 critics and journalists casting their votes, the Critics Choice Awards have become one of the most reliable predictors of what’s to come at the Oscars. So let’s break down the biggest wins and what they actually mean for the rest of awards season.
The Big Winners in Film
Best Picture and Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another”
Paul Thomas Anderson swept the top two categories, taking home both Best Picture and Best Director for his sprawling drama. This is exactly the kind of ambitious, character-driven storytelling that critics love and it’s a strong signal that “One Battle After Another” is the film to beat heading into Oscar season.
Anderson has long been considered one of the greatest directors of his generation, and this double win only cements that status. When a film earns both Picture and Director at the Critics Choice Awards, it typically carries serious momentum through the rest of awards season.
Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme”
Chalamet continues his evolution from promising young talent to legitimate powerhouse with his win for “Marty Supreme.” His performance as a complex, emotionally layered protagonist showcases a new maturity in his work, and this recognition puts him squarely in the conversation for a Best Actor Oscar.
This could be a career-defining moment for Chalamet, marking his transition into the kind of actor who commands awards attention with every performance.
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet”
Jessie Buckley’s win for “Hamnet” was well-deserved and positions her as a major contender throughout awards season. Her portrayal blends the kind of critical admiration and audience connection that makes for a winning combination when Oscar ballots are cast.
The Supporting Categories Tell an Interesting Story
The supporting wins this year reveal that critics are looking beyond big names to reward performances that truly elevate their films.
Jacob Elordi won Best Supporting Actor for his transformative turn in “Frankenstein,” bringing nuanced humanity to the creature in ways that reimaginations of this gothic tale rarely achieve. It’s also a sign that genre films are finally getting the critical respect they deserve.
Amy Madigan took Best Supporting Actress for “Weapons“, a career milestone that similarly shows critics embracing genre work when it’s done with skill and depth.
Miles Caton won Best Young Actor/Actress for “Sinners,” highlighting how fresh talent continues to invigorate mainstream cinema.
The Technical Categories Showed Some Clear Favorites
Speaking of “Sinners,” the film picked up awards for original screenplay, score, and casting , recognition that speaks to both its creative foundation and execution. Meanwhile, “Frankenstein” dominated the visual craft categories with wins for costume design, hair and makeup, and production design, proving that its gothic reimagining was a feast for the eyes as much as it was a showcase for Elordi’s performance.
When movies rack up this many craft wins, it signals broad industry support, the kind that often translates directly to Oscar success. These technical wins matter because they reflect a fuller understanding of what makes a great movie. It’s not just about the stars in front of the camera, but the meticulous work happening behind it.
Television Winners: Quality Storytelling Across Genres
The Critics Choice Awards also honor the best in television, and this year’s winners showcase the incredible range of storytelling happening on the small screen.
Best Limited Series: “Adolescence”
Netflix’s “Adolescence” dominated its category, winning Best Limited Series while also earning acting honors for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, and Erin Doherty. This is exactly the kind of nuanced, character-driven storytelling that keeps critics and audiences completely hooked.
Best Drama Series: “The Pitt”
“The Pitt” took home top drama honors with its gripping narrative and standout performances. Many critics saw this win coming, and it validates the show’s complex storytelling while building momentum for future awards consideration.
Best Comedy Series: “The Studio”
Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” won Best Comedy Series, with Rogen himself taking home Best Actor in a Comedy. Comedy often gets overlooked in awards cycles, so this win is particularly meaningful as it shows critics celebrating smart, well-crafted humor that makes us laugh while also making us think.
Why These Awards Actually Matter
The Critics Choice Awards are not just a nice pat on the back for filmmakers and actors. Historically, about 75% of Critics Choice winners go on to receive Oscar nominations, and Best Picture winners from this ceremony align with Academy results nearly half the time.
These wins shape the narrative of awards season. They elevate careers, influence public perception, and often determine which films and performances stay in the conversation all the way through to the Oscars.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards gave us a compelling snapshot of the best entertainment from the past year while also charting the course for the awards season ahead. From powerful dramas and inventive storytelling to breakout performances and genre-blurring achievements, this year’s ceremony reminded us why critics’ voices matter.
Whether you’re an awards-season obsessive tracking every prediction or just someone who loves great movies and TV, this winners list is essentially a curated guide to the must-watch entertainment of 2025. These aren’t just the films and shows that won trophies, they’re the ones that resonated on a deeper level , the ones that demonstrated true craft and artistry.
So if you haven’t checked out “One Battle After Another,” “Marty Supreme,” “Hamnet,” or any of the other winners yet, now’s the time.
