The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards officially kicked off the 2026 awards season on Sunday, January 4, gathering the biggest names in film and television at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Chelsea Handler, the ceremony provided a definitive signal that the awards season is in full swing, celebrating outstanding achievements across various categories.

Ryan Coogler’s "Sinners," a supernatural meditation on American history and race, emerged as a major story of the night. Leading the film nominations with an impressive 17 nods, "Sinners" went on to secure four significant wins. The film’s success began early with Miles Caton, who won Best Young Actor/Actress for his breakthrough role as Sammie, setting a strong pace for the evening. This momentum continued as Francine Maisler was honored with the newly introduced Best Casting and Ensemble award for "Sinners," sharing the stage with cast members including Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Wunmi Mosaku. Delroy Lindo’s heartfelt acceptance speech particularly resonated with the audience, including Ryan Coogler and Proximity Media co-founder Zinzi Coogler. Ryan Coogler himself later accepted the award for Best Original Screenplay, and Ludwig Göransson rounded out the film’s achievements with a win for Best Score.

Other notable contenders in the film categories included Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged drama "One Battle After Another," starring Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Chase Infiniti, which garnered 14 nominations. Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein" and Chloé Zhao’s "Hamnet" also made strong showings with 11 nominations each.

The evening transitioned to television accolades, with Janelle James recognized as Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in "Abbott Elementary." Tramell Tillman received the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Seth Milchick in Apple TV+’s "Severance." Netflix’s "Adolescence" stood out as the most-nominated television series, solidifying its position among the season’s early favorites. This year's ceremony also expanded its recognition by introducing four new categories: Best Variety Series, Best Stunt Design, Best Casting and Ensemble, and Best Sound.

The complete list of winners for the 31st Critics Choice Awards includes:

Film Categories:

• Best Picture: 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 Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
• Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler – Sinners
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
• Best Casting and Ensemble: Sinners
• Best Cinematography: Adolpho Veloso – Train Dreams
• Best Production Design: Frankenstein
• Best Editing: F1
• Best Costume Design: Kate Hawley – Frankenstein
• Best Hair and Makeup: Frankenstein
• Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
• Best Stunt Design: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
• Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
• Best Comedy: The Naked Gun
• Best Foreign Language Film: The Secret Agent
• Best Song: “Golden” – Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy – KPop Demon Hunters
• Best Score: Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
• Best Sound: F1

Television Categories:

• Best Drama Series: The Pitt
• Best Actor In A Drama Series: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
• Best Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
• Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tramell Tillman – Severance
• Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Katherine LaNasa – The Pitt
• Best Comedy Series: The Studio
• Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen – The Studio
• Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart – Hacks
• Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ike Barinholtz – The Studio
• Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
• Best Limited Series: Adolescence
• Best Movie Made for Television: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
• Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Stephen Graham – Adolescence
• Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
• Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Owen Cooper – Adolescence
• Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Erin Doherty – Adolescence
• Best Foreign Language Series: Squid Game
• Best Animated Series: South Park
• Best Talk Show: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
• Best Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
• Best Comedy Special: SNL50: The Anniversary Special