2026 Critics Choice Awards Winners: Sinners and Frankenstein Lead the Pack

The critics have spoken, and the race to the Oscars just got a whole lot more interesting. On January 4, 2026, the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards unfolded at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, honoring the absolute best in film and television. Hosted for the fourth time by the sharp-witted Chelsea Handler, the ceremony served as a definitive bellwether for the upcoming awards season, highlighting a year where genre-bending cinema dominated the conversation.

2026 Critics Choice Awards Winners: A Night for Visual Masters

Ryan Coogler's Sinners entered the night with a massive 17 nominations, the highest of any film this year. It didn't take long for the film to leave its mark, securing the inaugural 'Best Casting and Ensemble' award. Meanwhile, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein proved to be a technical juggernaut. Jacob Elordi won Best Supporting Actor, while the film swept categories for Production Design, Costume Design, and Hair and Makeup, showcasing del Toro’s unparalleled vision.

• Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
• Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan (Weapons)
• Best Young Actor: Miles Caton (Sinners)

Television Dominance and Category Expansions

In the television categories, Netflix's Adolescence led the pack with 6 nods, while Noah Wyle took home the trophy for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Pitt. This year's ceremony also introduced four new categories, including Best Stunt Design and Best Sound, acknowledging the complex craftsmanship behind modern blockbusters like F1.