Critics Choice Awards 2026 winners: ‘One Battle After Another’ dominates as awards season begins

The 31st Critics Choice Awards officially launched Hollywood’s 2026 awards season, delivering a night packed with clear frontrunners, breakthrough performances and early momentum-setters. Held on Sunday night, the ceremony celebrated the best in film and television, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ emerging as the biggest winner.

The results are already being viewed as an early indicator of how the fiercely competitive awards season could shape up in the months ahead.

Film awards: A commanding night for Paul Thomas Anderson

‘One Battle After Another’ took home the Best Picture award, firmly establishing itself as the season’s film to beat. Paul Thomas Anderson also won Best Director, reinforcing the film’s critical dominance.

Another major standout was ‘Sinners’, which secured four awards, including the newly introduced Best Casting and Ensemble, awarded to Francine Maisler. The film also earned wins for Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, Best Young Actor or Actress for Miles Caton, and Best Score for Ludwig Göransson.

In the acting categories, Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme, while Jessie Buckley claimed Best Actress for Hamnet. Jacob Elordi picked up Best Supporting Actor for Frankenstein, and Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for Weapons.

Animation, music and technical honours

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ continued its awards sweep, winning Best Animated Feature, while its track “Golden” was named Best Song.

Technical categories saw ‘Frankenstein’ perform strongly, winning Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Hair and Makeup. ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ claimed Best Visual Effects, while ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ won Best Stunt Design.

Television awards: Drama and comedy share the spotlight

On the television side, ‘The Pitt’ emerged as a major force, winning Best Drama Series, with Noah Wyle taking Best Actor in a Drama Series and Katherine LaNasa earning Best Supporting Actress.

Rhea Seehorn won Best Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus, while Tramell Tillman secured Best Supporting Actor for Severance.

In comedy, ‘The Studio’ was named Best Comedy Series, with Seth Rogen winning Best Actor in a Comedy Series and Ike Barinholtz taking Best Supporting Actor. Jean Smart continued her awards run, winning Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks.

Limited series and variety wins

The limited series category was led by ‘Adolescence’, which won Best Limited Series, along with acting honours for Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Owen Cooper. Sarah Snook won Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie for All Her Fault.

In late-night and variety, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ won Best Talk Show, while ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ took Best Variety Series. ‘South Park’ claimed Best Animated Series.

New categories and industry signals

This year, the Critics Choice Association introduced new honours including Best Casting and Ensemble, Best Variety Series, Best Stunt Design, and Best Sound, reflecting the industry’s evolving priorities.

Hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Chelsea Handler, the ceremony offered a clear takeaway: ‘One Battle After Another’, ‘Sinners’, and ‘The Pitt’ have seized early momentum in what promises to be a highly competitive awards season.