Critics Choice Awards 2026 Winners and Red Carpet Looks Revealed

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 marked the start of Hollywood’s awards season. The 31st annual ceremony took place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

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The event honors the year’s best in film, television, and streaming. It is closely watched by the industry as an early indicator of potential Oscar contenders.

Red Carpet Fashion Highlights

This year, organizers replaced the traditional red carpet with a black one, setting a more understated yet elegant tone. Attendees embraced monochromatic palettes, sleek dark gowns, and tailored menswear-inspired womenswear.

Standout looks included Audrey Nuna, who wore a voluminous Marc Jacobs circle shift dress, giving a playful spin to the monochromatic trend. Keri Russell and Teyana Taylor opted for sharp suiting, with Russell featuring a cropped jacket and statement brooch. Ethan Hawke added folk-inspired embroidery to his double-breasted Bode suit, showing that menswear could still surprise on the red carpet.

Odessa A’zion exuded goddess-like glamour in a gown by Dubai-based label OTT, while Chase Infiniti stunned in a butter yellow Louis Vuitton two-piece. Elle Fanning revisited classic Hollywood style in a shimmering vintage Ralph Lauren dress. Ariana Grande, styled by Law Roach, paid homage to Diahann Carroll’s 1969 Oscars look with a custom Alberta Ferretti gown. Meanwhile, Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs referenced a recent red carpet moment with coordinated orange outfits, nodding to Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

These fashion choices suggest upcoming trends for the Oscars: neutral palettes, tailored womenswear, and occasional bold color statements.

Major Winners and Oscar Implications

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 winners reflected the industry’s current favorites and offered insight into potential Oscar frontrunners.

Film Awards Highlights:

• 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)

Other notable wins included Sinners, which earned four prizes: original screenplay, best young actor (Miles Caton), best casting and ensemble, and best score by Ludwig Göransson. Netflix’s Frankenstein also took home four awards, highlighted by Jacob Elordi’s surprise best supporting actor win.

Television Awards Highlights:

• British drama Adolescence won four awards, including acting honors for Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Owen Cooper.

• Best movie made for television went to Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

Acceptance Speeches

Timothée Chalamet celebrated his best actor win by thanking director Josh Safdie and partner Kylie Jenner. He praised storytelling that explores relatable, flawed characters, emphasizing the importance of authentic narratives.

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Jessie Buckley, awarded best actress for Hamnet, highlighted director Chloe Zhao’s guidance and shared heartfelt thanks to co-stars Paul Mescal and Emily Watson. Owen Cooper, winning best supporting actor, described the award as life-changing for him and his family.

Awards Season Context

While the Critics Choice Awards are not Oscars, they offer valuable insights into awards momentum. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another sweeping best picture, director, and adapted screenplay signals strong Academy potential, especially for craft-focused categories.

Sinners has positioned itself as a potential late-season spoiler. Its original screenplay win indicates it could appeal to the Academy’s writers branch and gain traction in supporting categories. Meanwhile, Jacob Elordi’s victory for Frankenstein likely secures him an Oscar nomination in the best supporting actor category, following historical patterns.

The acting races remain competitive. Jessie Buckley is emerging as a strong contender for best actress, while Chalamet’s win cements him as the frontrunner for best actor, despite seasoned competitors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan. History reminds that Critics Choice winners sometimes lose out on Oscars, making the upcoming Golden Globes and SAG Awards critical for final momentum.

Conclusion

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 set a stylish and competitive tone for the awards season. From striking red carpet trends to early Oscar predictions, this ceremony offered a glimpse of Hollywood’s top contenders. Films like One Battle After Another and Sinners, alongside standout performances by Chalamet, Buckley, and Elordi, are positioned to dominate in the coming months. As the Golden Globes and Oscar nominations approach, these awards will remain a key measure of industry sentiment.