At a Glance
- ‘One Battle After Another’ wins Best Picture.
- Host Chelsea Handler opens ceremony at Barker Hangar, Santa Monica.
- Timothée Chalamet takes Best Actor, Jean Smart Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
- Why it matters: The awards highlight the year’s standout film and television performances, shaping future projects and careers.
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best in film and television on January 4 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the ceremony honored a range of achievements across genres and formats.
Awards Highlights
The ceremony saw ‘One Battle After Another’ claim Best Picture, while Timothée Chalamet captured Best Actor for ‘Marty Supreme’ and Jean Smart earned Best Actress in a Comedy Series for ‘Hacks’.
- Best Picture: One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
- Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme (A24)
- Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart – Hacks (HBO Max)
- Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein (Netflix)
- Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan – Weapons (Warner Bros.)
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
- Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
- Best Comedy: The Naked Gun (Paramount)
- Best Foreign Language Film: The Secret Agent (Neon)
- Best Song: “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
Winners Breakdown
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) |
| Best Actor | Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme (A24) |
| Best Actress | Jessie Buckley – Hamnet (Focus Features) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein (Netflix) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Amy Madigan – Weapons (Warner Bros.) |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) |
| Best Animated Feature | KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) |
| Best Comedy | The Naked Gun (Paramount) |
| Best Foreign Language Film | The Secret Agent (Neon) |
| Best Song | “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix) |
| Best Drama Series | The Pitt (HBO Max) |
| Best Actor in a Drama Series | Noah Wyle – The Pitt (HBO Max) |
| Best Actress in a Drama Series | Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus (Apple TV) |
| Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Katherine LaNasa – The Pitt (HBO Max) |
| Best Comedy Series | The Studio (Apple TV) |
| Best Actor in a Comedy Series | Seth Rogen – The Studio (Apple TV) |
| Best Actress in a Comedy Series | Jean Smart – Hacks (HBO Max) |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Ike Barinholtz – The Studio (Apple TV) |
| Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC) |
| Best Limited Series | Adolescence (Netflix) |
| Best Movie Made For Television | Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Peacock) |
| Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television | Stephen Graham – Adolescence (Netflix) |
| Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television | Sarah Snook – All Her Fault (Peacock) |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television | Owen Cooper – Adolescence (Netflix) |
Key Moments
Jacob Elordi
> “Bloody hell,” he told the star-studded crowd.
> “I really didn’t plan for it.”
Timothée Chalamet
> “Lastly, I’ll just say thank you to my partner of three years,” he told Kylie, who was seated in the audience.
> “Thank you for our foundation. I love you.”
> “I couldn’t do this without you,” he continued.
> “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Appreciate it.”
Key Takeaways
- ‘One Battle After Another’ takes the top honor of Best Picture.
- Timothée Chalamet and Jean Smart secure major acting awards.
- The ceremony showcased a mix of film, television, and animated features, reflecting a diverse industry.
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards not only celebrated the year’s cinematic and television achievements but also highlighted the personal moments that made the night memorable.
