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IN PICS: Stars who took home awards at the Critics Choice Awards 2026
The 31st Critics Choice Awards lit up Santa Monica on 4 January 2026, celebrating the year’s most acclaimed films and television shows. From powerful performances to standout storytelling, the night honoured excellence across global cinema and streaming platforms.
1/24
The 31st Critics Choice Awards took place on Sunday, 4 January 2026, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, with Chelsea Handler returning as host. The ceremony honoured the most celebrated films and television shows of the year, spotlighting bold storytelling, standout performances and technical excellence across global cinema and streaming platforms.
2/24
Best Picture
Winner: One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweeping drama emerged as the night’s top film honour winner. Praised for its emotional depth and ambition, the film resonated strongly with critics for its layered storytelling. Its victory cemented its status as the most acclaimed film of the year. IMG CREDIT: REUTERS
Winner: One Battle After Another
Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweeping drama emerged as the night’s top film honour winner. Praised for its emotional depth and ambition, the film resonated strongly with critics for its layered storytelling. Its victory cemented its status as the most acclaimed film of the year. IMG CREDIT: REUTERS
3/24
Best Director Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another Paul Thomas Anderson was recognised for his assured and visionary direction. Critics applauded his ability to balance scale with intimacy, guiding complex performances with precision. The win further strengthened his legacy as one of cinema’s most influential filmmakers. IMG CREDIT: Reuters
4/24
Best Actor
Winner: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Timothée Chalamet delivered a deeply personal and commanding performance. His portrayal earned praise for its emotional honesty and nuance. The award marked a major milestone in his already acclaimed career.
Winner: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Timothée Chalamet delivered a deeply personal and commanding performance. His portrayal earned praise for its emotional honesty and nuance. The award marked a major milestone in his already acclaimed career.
5/24
Best Actress
Winner: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Jessie Buckley was honoured for a haunting and emotionally rich performance. Her work was described as quietly devastating and beautifully restrained. The win highlighted her growing reputation as one of the finest actors of her generation.
Winner: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Jessie Buckley was honoured for a haunting and emotionally rich performance. Her work was described as quietly devastating and beautifully restrained. The win highlighted her growing reputation as one of the finest actors of her generation.
6/24
Best Animated Feature
Winner: KPop Demon Hunters
The animated film stood out for its originality and global appeal. Critics praised its visual style and energetic storytelling. The win highlighted animation’s expanding creative reach.
Winner: KPop Demon Hunters
The animated film stood out for its originality and global appeal. Critics praised its visual style and energetic storytelling. The win highlighted animation’s expanding creative reach.
7/24
Best Song
Winner: “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters
The song was celebrated for its emotional resonance and global sound. Its success reflected the film’s crossover appeal. Music critics praised its production and memorability.
Winner: “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters
The song was celebrated for its emotional resonance and global sound. Its success reflected the film’s crossover appeal. Music critics praised its production and memorability.
8/24
Best Drama Series
Winner: The Pitt
The series dominated the television categories. Praised for its intense storytelling and performances, it became a standout critical success. The win capped a strong night for the show.
Winner: The Pitt
The series dominated the television categories. Praised for its intense storytelling and performances, it became a standout critical success. The win capped a strong night for the show.
9/24
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Winner: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Rhea Seehorn earned acclaim for a nuanced and powerful performance. Critics highlighted her emotional range and control. The award marked a career-defining moment.
Winner: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Rhea Seehorn earned acclaim for a nuanced and powerful performance. Critics highlighted her emotional range and control. The award marked a career-defining moment.
10/24
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Winner: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
Noah Wyle delivered a commanding and emotionally layered performance. His portrayal anchored the series’ success. The win was widely seen as overdue recognition.
Winner: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
Noah Wyle delivered a commanding and emotionally layered performance. His portrayal anchored the series’ success. The win was widely seen as overdue recognition.
11/24
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Winner: Tramell Tillman – Severance
Tramell Tillman was praised for his quietly unsettling performance. Critics noted his ability to leave a lasting impact with minimal dialogue. The award recognised his growing prominence.
Winner: Tramell Tillman – Severance
Tramell Tillman was praised for his quietly unsettling performance. Critics noted his ability to leave a lasting impact with minimal dialogue. The award recognised his growing prominence.
12/24
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Winner: Katherine LaNasa – The Pitt
Katherine LaNasa’s performance added emotional depth to the series. Her portrayal was lauded for its realism and warmth. The win reinforced the ensemble’s strength.
Winner: Katherine LaNasa – The Pitt
Katherine LaNasa’s performance added emotional depth to the series. Her portrayal was lauded for its realism and warmth. The win reinforced the ensemble’s strength.
13/24
Best Supporting Actress (Film)
Winner: Amy Madigan – Weapons
Amy Madigan delivered a powerful supporting turn. Critics praised her emotional weight and subtlety. The performance stood out in a competitive category.
Winner: Amy Madigan – Weapons
Amy Madigan delivered a powerful supporting turn. Critics praised her emotional weight and subtlety. The performance stood out in a competitive category.
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Best Supporting Actor (Film)
Winner: Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Jacob Elordi earned acclaim for his haunting portrayal of the Creature. The role showcased his dramatic range and vulnerability. The win marked his first major acting prize.
Winner: Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Jacob Elordi earned acclaim for his haunting portrayal of the Creature. The role showcased his dramatic range and vulnerability. The win marked his first major acting prize.
15/24
Best Comedy Series
Winner: The Studio
The series was recognised for its sharp humour and industry satire. Critics praised its writing and ensemble cast. The show emerged as the year’s standout comedy.
Winner: The Studio
The series was recognised for its sharp humour and industry satire. Critics praised its writing and ensemble cast. The show emerged as the year’s standout comedy.
16/24
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Winner: Jean Smart – Hacks
Jean Smart continued her award-winning run. Her performance was praised for wit, warmth and depth. The win reaffirmed her status as a comedy icon.
Winner: Jean Smart – Hacks
Jean Smart continued her award-winning run. Her performance was praised for wit, warmth and depth. The win reaffirmed her status as a comedy icon.
17/24
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Winner: Seth Rogen – The Studio
Seth Rogen was honoured for his comedic timing and self-aware performance. Critics applauded his balance of humour and vulnerability. The award highlighted the show’s success.
Winner: Seth Rogen – The Studio
Seth Rogen was honoured for his comedic timing and self-aware performance. Critics applauded his balance of humour and vulnerability. The award highlighted the show’s success.
18/24
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Winner: Ike Barinholtz – The Studio
Ike Barinholtz delivered one of the series’ most memorable performances. His comedic energy earned strong critical praise. The win reflected the strength of the ensemble.
Winner: Ike Barinholtz – The Studio
Ike Barinholtz delivered one of the series’ most memorable performances. His comedic energy earned strong critical praise. The win reflected the strength of the ensemble.
19/24
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Winner: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Janelle James was celebrated for her scene-stealing presence. Her sharp delivery and charisma stood out. The award recognised her growing influence in comedy television.
Winner: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Janelle James was celebrated for her scene-stealing presence. Her sharp delivery and charisma stood out. The award recognised her growing influence in comedy television.
20/24
Best Talk Show
Winner: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The long-running talk show continued its dominance. The series was praised for its consistency and cultural relevance. Its win reflected enduring viewer appeal.
Winner: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The long-running talk show continued its dominance. The series was praised for its consistency and cultural relevance. Its win reflected enduring viewer appeal.
21/24
Best Limited Series
Winner: Adolescence
The series dominated multiple limited-series categories. Critics praised its emotional honesty and performances. It emerged as one of the year’s most powerful television achievements.
Winner: Adolescence
The series dominated multiple limited-series categories. Critics praised its emotional honesty and performances. It emerged as one of the year’s most powerful television achievements.
22/24
Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Winner: Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Sarah Snook was honoured for her gripping performance. Her portrayal was praised for its emotional realism. The win marked a standout post-Succession moment.
Winner: Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Sarah Snook was honoured for her gripping performance. Her portrayal was praised for its emotional realism. The win marked a standout post-Succession moment.
23/24
Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Winner: Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Stephen Graham delivered a deeply affecting performance. Critics praised his intensity and restraint. The role reinforced his reputation for powerful character work.
Winner: Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Stephen Graham delivered a deeply affecting performance. Critics praised his intensity and restraint. The role reinforced his reputation for powerful character work.
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Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television
Winner: Owen Cooper – Adolescence
Owen Cooper impressed with a breakthrough performance. His work added emotional complexity to the series. The award recognised emerging talent.
Winner: Owen Cooper – Adolescence
Owen Cooper impressed with a breakthrough performance. His work added emotional complexity to the series. The award recognised emerging talent.
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