Critics’ Favorites
- Emeri Wisotsky
- Jan 6
- 2 min read
Recap of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best films and television series released in 2025, honoring the people that brought those projects to life. Held on January 4, 2026, this year’s awards took place at the Barker Hangar in the Santa Monica Airport in Santa Monica, California. The event’s main goal recognized actors, directors, writers and people in production whose work stood out over the past year. The Critics Choice Awards is usually held earlier in what is called the “awards season,” followed by the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Grammys, the Emmys and the Tonys. It is organized by the Critics Choice Association and the ceremony served as both entertainment and recognition of hard work in the film and television industry.
Throughout the year, members of the Critics Choice Association watch and review the newly released films, eventually voting on the major categories. The most important category is widely considered to be Best Picture, won this year by “One Battle after Another,” the acclaimed action thriller film. Some of the other principal categories include Best Actress, won by Jessie Buckley in “Hamnet,” and Best Actor, won by Timothy Chalamet in “Marty Supreme.” Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Director for his film
“One Battle after another.” The last main categories are Best Original Screenplay, won by Ryan Coogler's “Sinners” and Best Adapted Screenplay won, once again, by Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle after another.”
These wins at the Critics Choice Awards are often seen as a key indicator of which films and performances may succeed at the Academy Awards. Because the Critics Choice Association is made up of professional critics who carefully evaluate the films, the Critics Choice winners frequently become predictions for the Golden Globes and the Oscars, shaping the expectations for the rest of the awards season.
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best of 2025 in film and television, honoring talent in acting, directing, writing and production. Beyond recognition, the winners often signal what to expect in the golden globes and oscars, making the event both a celebration of creativity and an early guide to awards season.
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