The awards season is intensifying with the Critics Choice Association announcing nominations for its 31st annual Critics Choice Awards. While Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar favorite, One Battle After Another, had been gaining momentum, securing Best Film at both the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, it was ultimately surpassed in nominations by Ryan Coogler's original vampire thriller, Sinners.

Sinners remarkably led the pack with 17 nominations, followed by the Leonardo DiCaprio-led One Battle After Another with 14. Both acclaimed films are contenders for Best Picture. The competition extends to Best Actor and Best Director, where Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Ryan Coogler are all recognized, highlighting the intense rivalry between these two cinematic heavyweights.

Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, is a bloody and stylish thriller that follows twin brothers, played by Michael B. Jordan, as they confront fresh evils in their hometown amidst the Jim Crow era after seeking a new beginning. Hailed as a breath of fresh air upon its release, it became the highest-grossing original horror film ever, marking a significant success for Warner Bros. The film's specific details include a release date of April 18, 2025, a runtime of 138 minutes, and its genres are Horror, Thriller, and Action. Coogler is also credited as a writer, with Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler producing, and Hailee Steinfeld also featuring in the cast.

Other notable films joining Sinners and One Battle After Another in the Best Picture category include Guillermo del Toro's Netflix epic Frankenstein and Chloé Zhao's Shakespeare story Hamnet, both of which tied for third place with 11 nominations each. Rounding out the top honor competitors are Bugonia, Jay Kelly, Train Dreams, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Wicked: For Good.

Despite its Best Picture nomination, Wicked: For Good, the second part of the musical adaptation, saw some curious absences in nominations, including director Jon M. Chu and star Cynthia Erivo, both considered potential Oscar nominees. However, the film still received recognition for Ariana Grande in the Supporting Actress category and for its technical brilliance. Another notable absence was Sentimental Value from the foreign language category; this was attributed to a new rule preventing Best Picture nominees from also appearing in the international features category, thereby allowing more films to be recognized.

The Best Animated Feature category is also highly competitive, headlined by Netflix's global breakout hit KPop Demon Hunters, which also earned a nod for its song "Golden" in Best Song. It faces strong competition from Neon's acclaimed Arco and Disney's box office success Zootopia 2, as well as Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, Elio, and In Your Dreams.

The winners of the Critics Choice Awards will be announced live on E! and USA Network during the ceremony on January 4, 2026.