The 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards may have been a night of glitz and “orange leather” glamour, but a major snub in how one prestige category was handled has social media in a total meltdown.
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards (CCA) officially kicked off awards season with a bang on Sunday, January 4, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. While the night was supposed to be a celebration of cinematic excellence, viewers were left “disgusted” and “insulted” after a major category – Best Foreign Language Film – was reportedly handed out on the red carpet rather than during the main televised broadcast.
The award, which went to the acclaimed film The Secret Agent, was missing from the main stage lineup, a move that fans say feels like a massive step backward for an industry that has spent years promising to prioritize global representation.
As Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme dominated the stage time, international cinema fans were waiting for the moment The Secret Agent would get its due. Instead, word trickled out that the win had been relegated to the pre-show festivities.
“It’s ridiculous @CriticsChoice to give the award for Best Foreign Language Film on the Red Carpet, and not on stage as it should be,” one viral post on X lamented. “Even more so considering the excellent quality of films from all over the world represented. Ridiculous and disrespectful.”
This “off-stage” treatment has reignited a fierce debate about how Hollywood treats non-English language art. Coming off a year where international titles like I’m Still Here and No Other Choice garnered massive critical buzz, the decision to keep The Secret Agent out of the spotlight felt like a “second-class” gesture to many.
The “insulting” presentation wasn’t the only thing sticking in the craw of Hollywood’s elite. The ceremony, hosted by a characteristically sharp Chelsea Handler, featured a menu that had stars and the internet asking: “Is this a joke?”
Abbott Elementary star Janelle James, who took home the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, didn’t hold back during her acceptance speech. She roasted the organizers over the meager catering, which reportedly consisted of “grapes and ice cream.”
“The best thing about being nominated four times is I finally realized they’re never gonna feed us at this thing,” James joked to a room of hungry actors. Last year, the CCA went viral for serving “pizza in a bag,” but 2026’s “fruit salad and a dream” approach seems to have officially broken the celebrities’ patience.
Despite the controversies, the night had its share of “Aww” moments. Timothée Chalamet snagged the Best Actor trophy for his role in Marty Supreme, edging out heavyweights like Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) and Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another).
During his speech, Chalamet gave a rare and heartfelt shout-out to his partner of three years, Kylie Jenner. “Thank you to my partner… thank you for our foundation. I love you,” he told the crowd as the cameras panned to a visibly emotional Jenner, who appeared to mouth “I love you too” from her seat.
The couple’s rare public display of affection (PDA) sent “Chalamet-Jenner” stans into a frenzy, especially after the actor confirmed they have been together for three full years.
The night took a sharp political turn when Jimmy Kimmel took the stage to accept Best Talk Show. Kimmel, whose show Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly suspended by ABC in late 2025 following a controversial monologue, used his time to fire back at the President.
“I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump, without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight,” Kimmel quipped, referring to the constant attacks his show has faced from the White House. The “stony-faced” reaction from some executives in the room, specifically those from Warner Bros. Discovery who were seated near the Sinners team, suggests that the tension between Hollywood and the current administration is at an all-time high.
If you’re looking for a quick breakdown of the drama, here is a comprehensive look at the highs and lows of the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards. While the January 4 ceremony was intended to celebrate the best of 2025 cinema, the night was ultimately defined by a series of logistical blunders and polarizing snubs that have dominated social media discourse ever since.
1. The Best Foreign Language Film “Red Carpet” Snub
The biggest controversy of the night involved the Best Foreign Language Film category. In a move that viewers labeled “insulting” and “disrespectful,” the award was handed out on the red carpet rather than during the main televised broadcast.
- The Winner: The acclaimed Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent (directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho).
- The Backlash: Fans and critics on social media were quick to point out that relegating international talent to the pre-show felt like a “second-class” gesture.This decision sparked a heated debate about the industry’s true commitment to global representation.
2. Catering Chaos: Grapes and Ice Cream
Following 2025’s “pizza in a bag” incident, the 2026 menu somehow managed to be even more divisive.
- The “Snack Plate”: Photos went viral showing a meager spread consisting of a few grapes, crackers, cheese wedges, and a single spanakopita.
- Janelle James’ Roast: While accepting her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy (Abbott Elementary), James joked, “I finally realized they’re never gonna feed us at this thing. It’s gonna be grapes and ice cream every year.”
- Social Media Reaction: Fans compared the meal to economy-class airline food and the infamous Fyre Festival catering.
3. Timothée Chalamet’s Heartfelt Shout-out to Kylie Jenner
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Timothée Chalamet used his Best Actor acceptance speech to confirm the length and depth of his relationship with Kylie Jenner.
- The Win: Chalamet won for his role in the ping-pong thriller Marty Supreme, beating out stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan.
- The Quote: “Thank you to my partner of three years… thank you for our foundation. I love you,” Chalamet said, marking their third anniversary publicly.
- The Reaction: The cameras captured a visibly emotional Jenner mouthing “I love you too,” sending social media into a frenzy over the couple’s rare display of PDA.
4. Jimmy Kimmel vs. “Donald Jennifer Trump”
The night took a sharp political turn when Jimmy Kimmel won Best Talk Show. Kimmel, whose show was briefly suspended by ABC in late 2025 following a controversial monologue, did not hold back.
- The Jab: Kimmel sarcastically thanked the President, saying, “I want to thank our president, Donald Jennifer Trump, without whom we would be going home empty-handed tonight.
- The Subtext: The comment referenced the endless comedy material provided by the administration and the recent censorship battles Kimmel has faced with the FCC.
5. Big Wins for “One Battle After Another”
Despite the focus on the drama, several films emerged as major victors, setting the stage for the upcoming Oscars.
- Best Picture & Director: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another took home the night’s top honors.
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley won for her performance in Hamnet, a win that split the internet between those who loved her nuanced portrayal and those who preferred more transformative roles.