2026 Critics' Choice Awards Winners: One Battle After Another Sweeps Top Honors

17 nominations didn't guarantee a sweep. In a night filled with surprises at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, the 31st annual Critics' Choice Awards crowned new champions on January 4, 2026. Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the ceremony highlighted a shift in the cinematic landscape where critical darlings overcame blockbuster nominations.

Film Winners of 2026 Critics' Choice Awards and Big Surprises

While Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic Sinners led the field with a massive 17 nominations, it was Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another that stole the show. It secured the most prestigious awards of the night: Best Picture and Best Director. Despite the loss in major categories, Sinners didn't leave empty-handed, picking up four wins including Best Original Screenplay and Best Score.

Netflix Dominates the Television Landscape

Netflix proved its streaming supremacy by leading with 31 nominations across its series. The standout performer was the limited series Adolescence, which achieved a perfect record by winning all four categories it was nominated in. Stephen Graham took home Best Actor in a Limited Series, anchoring a dominant night for the platform that left competitors like HBO Max (27 nominations) in the rearview mirror.