2026 Critics Choice Awards: Key Winners Across Film and Television

Best Picture - One Battle After Another

The 2026 Critics Choice Awards highlighted the year’s most acclaimed achievements in film and television, offering on Sunday, January 4, an early indicator of awards-season momentum. Voted on by critics from the United States and Canada, the ceremony recognized both major studio releases and prestige television.

In the film categories, One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s top winner, receiving Best Picture. The film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson, also won Best Director, reinforcing the project’s strong critical support.

Acting honors were led by Timothée Chalamet, who won Best Actor for Marty Supreme, and Jessie Buckley, who claimed Best Actress for Hamnet. In the supporting categories, Jacob Elordi won Best Supporting Actor for Frankenstein, while Amy Madigan earned Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Weapons. Screenplay awards went to One Battle After Another for Best Adapted Screenplay and Sinners for Best Original Screenplay. Best Animated Feature was awarded to KPop Demon Hunters, which also won Best Song.

Television awards were split among several standout series. The Pitt won Best Drama Series, while The Studio was named Best Comedy Series. Adolescence took Best Limited Series, continuing its strong critical reception. Among individual performances, Noah Wyle won Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt, and Rhea Seehorn was named Best Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus. The international hit Squid Game received Best Foreign Language Series.

See all winners here.

As one of the first major awards ceremonies of the year, the Critics Choice Awards often serve as a bellwether for future honors. This year’s winners reflect a broad range of genres and formats, signaling a competitive awards season ahead.