When the Critics Spoke, These Stars and Films Listened: 2026 Critics Choice Awards Winners

The 2026 Critics Choice Awards didn’t just hand out trophies; they told the story of a movie year that was bold, emotional, dramatically diverse, and unapologetically human. The Critics Choice honored films and performances that made us think, laugh, cry, and celebrate cinema as a shared experience, and when the critics spoke, these stars and films listened loud and clear.

 

At a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, hosted by Chelsea Handler with her signature blend of warmth and wit, the Critics Choice winners were announced in a flurry of surprise moments, powerful speeches, and triumphs that felt like cultural milestones.

 

The night’s biggest prize, Best Picture, went to One Battle After Another, a sweeping political drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and led by Leonardo DiCaprio’s muscular, rooted performance. When the film’s producer accepted the award, she spoke for every filmmaker in the room:

That sentiment set the tone for an awards night that celebrated both craft and connection.

 

Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for Best Actor for his role in One Battle After Another, though the night’s top acting prize went to Timothée Chalamet for his fearless turn in Marty Supreme. Chalamet, who also had the internet buzzing with his sweet onstage mention of Kylie Jenner, gave an acceptance speech overflowing with gratitude: “I’m here because of people who push me, challenge me, and make art terrifying in the best way.”

 

 

In the Best Actress race, Jessie Buckley took home the award for her deeply moving performance in Hamnet, portraying Anna with such heartbreak and grace that viewers said it “felt like an entire lifetime in two hours.” Buckley thanked her cast, crew, and audience for “believing in the quiet moments that make characters unforgettable.”

 

Director Paul Thomas Anderson was recognized for Best Director for One Battle After Another, solidifying the film’s status as a critics’ darling and proving that thoughtful, cinematic storytelling still resonates.

 

Other notable wins included Best Supporting Actor for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein, a role critics praised as “powerful, grounded, and transformative,” and Best Supporting Actress for Amy Madigan in Weapons, whom the audience cheered as she accepted her award with both grace and a joyful laugh.

 

The Critics Choice honors also spotlighted ensemble excellence. Sinners, a genre-bending film that mixed satire with crime commentary, won Best Ensemble, recognizing how each cast member contributed to a performance mosaic that critics couldn’t ignore.

 

Here’s a complete list of all the winners, per E News:

 

Film Winners

• Best Picture: One Battle After Another

• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – 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 Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters

• Best Comedy (Film): The Naked Gun

• Best Foreign Language Film: The Secret Agent

• Best Song: “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters

• Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash

• Best Costume Design: Kate Hawley – Frankenstein

• Best Hair and Makeup: Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel & Cliona Furey – Frankenstein

• Best Casting and Ensemble: Francine Maisler – Sinners

Television Winners

• 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

Limited Series & TV Movies

• 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

 

The Critics Choice Awards have a reputation for honoring films that combine artistic ambition with broad appeal, and this year was no exception. One Battle After Another wasn’t just a story of intrigue and politics; it was lauded as a human story, with characters facing impossible choices and earned redemption arcs. Its sweep of Best Picture, Best Director, and other key categories reflected that dual appeal.

 

Meanwhile, Critics Choice didn’t shy away from genre films either. Sinners’ Best Ensemble win showed that critics are embracing films that are playful, sharp, and reflective of a wider cinematic palate. The awards night felt like a celebration of movies that entertain and resonate on emotional and intellectual levels.

 

Social media didn’t wait for the show to end. On X and Reddit, fans shared clips, GIFs, and reactions, especially to Chalamet’s victory and his moment with Kylie Jenner in the audience. One fan on Reddit summed up the vibe with characteristic wit:

By the time the Critics Choice Awards carpet was rolled up and the last speech echoes faded, one idea was clear: this year’s winners weren’t just the critics’ favorites; they were the films and performances that stayed with us. They reminded audiences why movies matter: they make us laugh, wrestle with big ideas, feel deeply, and remember that even in a crowded awards season, great storytelling still shines brightest.

 

For anyone looking ahead to the Oscars and beyond, this Critics Choice year feels like a preview of what audiences will carry with them in their hearts. When the critics spoke, these stars and films didn’t just listen … they responded in the way only great art can.