Critics Choice Awards 2026 Winners: One Battle After Another, Adolescence Dominate

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 delivered a night of major wins and clear frontrunners for the awards season, with One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner across film categories, while Adolescence led the television honours.

Held on January 4, 2026, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, the ceremony celebrated standout achievements in cinema and television from the past year.

Film highlights

Director Paul Thomas Anderson had a triumphant evening as One Battle After Another secured Best Picture and Best Director, reinforcing its strong momentum ahead of the Oscars. The film also picked up Best Adapted Screenplay, underlining Anderson’s creative sweep.

In the acting categories, Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme, edging out strong competition, while Jessie Buckley claimed Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet.

Frankenstein and Sinners also made a significant impact. Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, which also earned Best Young Actor/Actress for Miles Caton and Best Casting and Ensemble. Frankenstein stood out in technical categories, including Best Supporting Actor for Jacob Elordi, along with wins for production design, costume design, and hair and makeup.

Television winners

On the television front, Adolescence was one of the biggest success stories, winning Best Limited Series and multiple acting honours, including Best Actor in a Limited Series for Stephen Graham. The Pitt was named Best Drama Series, while The Studio took home Best Comedy Series.

Long-running favourites also featured prominently, with South Park winning Best Animated Series and Squid Game being named Best Foreign Language Series. 

Full list of major winners

Film

• 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 Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler (Sinners)

• Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)

• Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters

• Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash

Television

• Best Drama Series: The Pitt

• Best Comedy Series: The Studio

• Best Limited Series: Adolescence

• Best Actor, Limited Series: Stephen Graham (Adolescence)

• Best Actress, Comedy Series: Jean Smart (Hacks)

• Best Animated Series: South Park

• Best Foreign Language Series: Squid Game

  With strong showings across both film and television, the Critics Choice Awards 2026 have set a clear tone for the rest of the awards season, spotlighting projects expected to remain in contention at upcoming global ceremonies.