Timothée Chalamet’s Best Actor win highlights the Critics Choice Awards.
The Critics Choice Awards handed the night’s biggest prize to One Battle After Another, which won Best Picture over nominees that included Marty Supreme, Sinners, Hamnet, and Wicked: For Good. The film also powered a major run in the top categories. Not only did Paul Thomas Anderson win Best Director, but he also earned Best Adapted Screenplay for One Battle After Another. These achievements gave the project a clear “film of the night” moment as the ceremony rolled through its marquee honors.
Continuing the evening’s notable recognitions, Timothée Chalamet sparked excitement with a Best Actor win for Marty Supreme.
Jessie Buckley delivered a career-defining performance to take Best Actress for Hamnet, while Jacob Elordi’s powerful turn earned him Best Supporting Actor for Frankenstein. Amy Madigan captivated audiences in Weapons to secure Best Supporting Actress, and breakout star Miles Caton of Sinners celebrated after claiming Best Young Actor/Actress.
Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, scored a major creative win with Best Original Screenplay. Adding to its accolades, the movie claimed Best Score for Ludwig Göransson and won both Best Casting and Ensemble. Remaining front and center, Sinners emerged as one of the evening’s most decorated titles.
Several craft categories spread recognition across the season’s biggest theatrical swings.
While Train Dreams won Best Cinematography, Frankenstein secured Best Production Design. F1 collected both Best Editing and Best Sound. Meanwhile, Avatar: Fire and Ash earned Best Visual Effects. In animation, KPop Demon Hunters triumphed with Best Animated Feature and also landed Best Song for “Golden.”
On the television side, The Pitt won Best Drama Series at the Critics Choice Awards.
Noah Wyle took Best Actor in a Drama Series, and Katherine LaNasa won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. The Studio earned Best Comedy Series. In addition, Seth Rogen won Best Actor in a Comedy Series, while Ike Barinholtz was awarded Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Adolescence took Best Limited Series and also collected acting prizes for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, and Erin Doherty.
Film winners of the 31st Critics Choice Awards
Top Honors
- 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
Screenplay and music honors
- Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
- Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
- Best Song: “Golden,” KPop Demon Hunters
- Best Score: Ludwig Göransson, Sinners
Craft and technical awards
- Best Cinematography: Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams
- Best Production Design: Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau, Frankenstein
- Best Editing: Stephen Mirrione, F1
- Best Costume Design: Kate Hawley, Frankenstein
- Best Hair and Makeup: Kate Hawley, Frankenstein
- Best Visual Effects: Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett, Avatar: Fire and Ash
- Best Sound: F1
- Best Stunt Design: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning
Genre and ensemble categories
- Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
- Best Comedy: The Naked Gun
- Best Foreign Language Film: The Secret Agent
- Best Casting and Ensemble: Sinners
Television winners
Drama 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
Comedy categories
- 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
Limited series and TV movies
- Best Limited Series: Adolescence
- Best Movie Made for Television: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
- Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Stephen Graham, Adolescence
- Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Sarah Snook, All Her Fault
- Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Owen Cooper, Adolescence
- Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Erin Doherty, Adolescence
Variety, talk and animated
- Best Foreign Language Series: Squid Game
- Best Animated Series: South Park
- Best Talk Show: Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Best Comedy Special: SNL50: The Anniversary Special
- Best Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
What’s next in the awards season
The Critics Choice Awards often ignite momentum for the awards season. Next, all eyes turn to the glamorous Golden Globes on Jan. 11, 2026, broadcast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. The excitement will only continue as the road to the Oscars heats up, with nominations and final voting fueling anticipation for Hollywood’s most thrilling night.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
