The 2026 Critics Choice Awards took place on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Comedian Chelsea Handler returned as the host for the fourth year in a row, leading an evening that celebrated the very best in movies and television from the past year.
In the award ceremony this year, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners entered the night with the most nominations and ended up as one of the biggest winners, taking home 4 awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Score. It tied for the most wins with Frankenstein, which dominated the technical categories like Production Design and Costume Design.
However, the top prize in the 2026 Annual Critics Choice Awards for Best Picture went to the political drama One Battle After Another, which also won Paul Thomas Anderson the Best Director award.
Frankenstein, Sinners, and One Battle After Another took home the most honors at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, dominating both the technical categories and the top prizes
1) Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein

Here is a list of all the awards secured by del Toro’s gothic science fiction film at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards ceremony:
- Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi
- Best Production Design
- Best Costume Design
- Best Hair and Makeup
Based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, the film follows Victor Frankenstein, a scientist, who brings a creature to life. It focuses on the emotions of the creature, played by Jacob Elordi, and his struggle to find his place in a world that is afraid of him. The film is available to stream on Netlfix.
2) Ryan Coogler’s Sinners

Listed below are all the awards won by Coogler’s horror film in the 2026 Critics Choice Awards:
- Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler
- Best Casting and Ensemble
- Best Score: Ludwig Göransson
- Best Young Actor/Actress: Miles Caton
Set in the 1930s, Sinners follows twin brothers, played by Michael B. Jordan, who return to their hometown in Mississippi to start a new life. However, they soon discover that an ancient evil is haunting the area. The film is available to stream on Max.
3) Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another

One Battler After Another won 3 major awards at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. They are:
- Best Picture
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson
This political drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio tells the story of a revolution and the complicated relationship between a father and his daughter. The story is an intense look at how big political changes affect the lives of ordinary people. The film is available to stream on Max.
Other major wins at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
Beyond the big wins for One Battle After Another, other stars also had a fantastic night. Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for his role in Marty Supreme, where he played a table tennis pro. Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for her work in the movie Hamnet. In the supporting categories, Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for the film Weapons.
Edited by Suchita Patnaha
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