Santa Monica, CA — The 31st annual Critics’ Choice Awards crowned a slate of standout films and television shows at Barker Hangar on January 4, marking an electrifying start to awards season with a mix of crowd-pleasing winners and critics’ favorites. One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s biggest film winner, while Hamnet, Sinners, and Adolescence secured major honors across both mediums.
Hosted by Chelsea Handler for the fourth consecutive year, the ceremony celebrated achievements in 2025 cinema and television with sharp hosting, memorable speeches, and a mix of veteran favorites and breakout talent.
Film Winners That Defined the Night
Best Picture: One Battle After Another
Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan (Weapons)
One Battle After Another’s Best Picture win, coupled with Paul Thomas Anderson’s Best Director honor, firmly positions the action-driven drama as a frontrunner heading into the Oscars. Jessie Buckley’s critically acclaimed turn in Hamnet and Timothée Chalamet’s powerful lead performance further underscored the critics’ embrace of both emotional depth and star power in this year’s field.
Breakout and Supporting Wins
Jacob Elordi’s portrayal in Frankenstein earned him Best Supporting Actor, a milestone win in his career, while veteran Amy Madigan took home Best Supporting Actress for Weapons, delighting fans and critics alike with her heartfelt acceptance speech.
Other notable film honors included:
Best Original Screenplay: Sinners (Ryan Coogler)
Best Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another
Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Television Victors Shine Too
On the small screen, Netflix’s limited series Adolescence emerged as a standout, taking Best Limited Series and numerous acting honors, while The Pitt earned Best Drama Series. The Studio won Best Comedy Series, with ensemble and individual acting awards highlighting the strength of television storytelling in 2025.
Awards Season Momentum
The Critics’ Choice Awards have long been seen as a bellwether for the Academy Awards, and this year’s results are already shaping predictions for March’s Oscars. One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sinners now carry significant awards circuit momentum after key Critics’ Choice victories.
As the industry turns toward the Golden Globes and BAFTA, the buzz from tonight’s winners underscores the wide range of cinematic excellence that defined 2025. Stay tuned to entertainlens for full awards season coverage and Oscar forecasts.
2026 Critics’Choice Awards Complete Winners List
Film Categories
Best Picture
One Battle After Another
Best Director
Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
Best Actor
Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
Best Actress
Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
Best Supporting Actor
Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
Best Supporting Actress
Amy Madigan (Weapons)
Best Young Actor/Actress
Miles Caton (Sinners)
Best Original Screenplay
Sinners – Ryan Coogler
Best Adapted Screenplay
One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Casting & Ensemble
Sinners
Best Cinematography
Train Dreams – Adolpho Veloso
Best Production Design
Frankenstein
Best Editing
Stephen Mirrione – F1
Best Costume Design
Kate Hawley – Frankenstein
Best Hair & Makeup
Kate Hawley – Frankenstein
Best Visual Effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Stunt Design
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Best Sound
F1
Best Animated Feature
KPop Demon Hunters
Best Comedy
The Naked Gun
Best Foreign Language Film
The Secret Agent
Best Song
“Golden” — KPop Demon Hunters (Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy)
Best Score
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson
Television Categories
Best Drama Series
The Pitt
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus)
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Tramell Tillman (Severance)
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Katherine LaNasa (The Pitt)
Best Comedy Series
The Studio
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Seth Rogen (The Studio)
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Jean Smart (Hacks)
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ike Barinholtz (The Studio)
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Janelle James (Abbott Elementary)
Best Limited Series
Adolescence
Best Movie Made for Television
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Best Actor in a Limited Series / TV Movie
Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
Best Actress in a Limited Series / TV Movie
Sarah Snook (All Her Fault)
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series / TV Movie
Owen Cooper (Adolescence)
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series / TV Movie
Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
Best Foreign Language Series
Squid Game
Best Animated Series
South Park
Best Talk Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Best Variety Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Best Comedy Special
SNL50: The Anniversary Special
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