The 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards took place on Sunday, 4 January 2026, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Hosted by iconic comedian Chelsea Handler for her fourth consecutive year, the ceremony celebrated the pinnacle of achievements in film and television from 2025.

The evening was marked by a blend of high-energy comedy and poignant tributes. Chelsea Handler’s opening monologue featured playful jabs at A-listers like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jacob Elordi, but the tone shifted as she paid a moving tribute to director Rob Reiner, who passed away in December 2025.

The biggest story of the night was the triumph of Paul Thomas Anderson’s action thriller "One Battle After Another", which claimed Best Picture and Best Director. Despite entering the night with a leading 17 nominations, Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic "Sinners" walked away with four awards, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Score for Ludwig Göransson.

In the acting categories, Timothée Chalamet took home Best Actor for his performance in "Marty Supreme", notably thanking his partner Kylie Jenner in his speech.

Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for role in "Hamnet", and Jacob Elordi secured Best Supporting Actor for his turn in "Frankenstein".

Netflix emerged as the most-awarded network on the night, led by the success of the limited series "Adolescence", which garnered four wins: Best Limited Series, Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Stephen Graham, Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Owen Cooper, Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Erin Doherty.

Other winners in television include:

• Best Drama Series: "The Pitt" (HBO Max)

• Best Comedy Series: "The Studio" (Apple TV)

• Best Actor in a Drama: Noah Wyle, "The Pitt"

"One Battle After Another" (Winner)  

Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another" (Winner)  

Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme" (Winner)  

Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet" (Winner)  

Jacob Elordi, "Frankenstein" (Winner)  

Amy Madigan, "Weapons" (Winner)  

Ryan Coogler, "Sinners" (Winner)  

"KPop Demon Hunters" (Winner)

"The Naked Gun" (Winner)

"Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning" (Winner)

"Golden", "KPop Demon Hunters" (Winner)

New categories for 2026, including Best Stunt Design and Best Sound, saw wins for "Mission: Impossible" and "F1: The Movie", respectively.