Michael B. Jordan’s crime thriller and Netflix’s coming-of-age drama lead the pack as the Critics Choice Association reveals its 2026 nominees
The Critics Choice Association unveiled its highly anticipated nominees for the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards on Friday, December 5, marking another pivotal moment in the 2026 awards season. Michael B. Jordan’s crime thriller Sinners emerged as the clear frontrunner in the film categories, securing an impressive 17 nominations across multiple categories.
The Warner Bros. Pictures release, directed by Ryan Coogler, captured nods in major categories including best picture, best actor for Jordan, best director for Coogler and best original screenplay. The film also earned recognition in technical categories such as cinematography, production design, editing and visual effects, demonstrating its comprehensive appeal to critics.
Meanwhile, Netflix’s limited series Adolescence dominated the television landscape with six total nominations, positioning itself as the show to beat when the ceremony airs live on January 14.
Competitive best picture race takes shape
The best picture category features 10 diverse contenders, including Sinners, Wicked: For Good, Hamnet, Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another. The lineup represents a mix of established franchises, literary adaptations and original stories that have captured critical attention throughout the year.
Wicked: For Good, the continuation of the successful musical adaptation, secured multiple nominations including best supporting actress for Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda. The Universal Pictures release also earned recognition for its technical achievements in costume design, production design and hair and makeup.
Hamnet, director Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of the historical drama, garnered significant attention with nominations for Zhao in the directing category, Jessie Buckley for best actress and Paul Mescal for best supporting actor. The film’s cinematography by Łukasz Żal and production design also received recognition from the critics.
New categories expand recognition opportunities
This year’s ceremony introduces four new categories designed to honor additional aspects of filmmaking and television production. The additions include best variety series, best stunt design, best casting and ensemble, and best sound, providing more opportunities for recognition across the industry.
The best casting and ensemble category features six nominees: 1) Hamnet, 2) Jay Kelly, 3) Marty Supreme, 4) One Battle After Another, 5) Sinners and 6) Wicked: For Good. This new category acknowledges the crucial role casting directors play in bringing stories to life and recognizes films with exceptional ensemble performances.
The best stunt design category highlights the dangerous and intricate work performed by stunt teams, with nominees including Ballerina, F1, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, One Battle After Another, Sinners and Warfare.
Television categories showcase streaming dominance
Netflix maintained its strong presence in the television categories beyond Adolescence’s success. The streaming giant earned nominations across drama, comedy and limited series categories, reinforcing its position as a major player in premium television content.
The drama series category features eight contenders, including returning favorites like Severance and The Diplomat, alongside newcomers such as Alien: Earth and Paradise. Sterling K. Brown, Diego Luna, Mark Ruffalo and Adam Scott compete for best actor in a drama series, while Keri Russell, Bella Ramsey and Britt Lower vie for the actress honors.
Comedy series recognition went to established hits including Abbott Elementary, Hacks and Only Murders in the Building, with newcomers Nobody Wants This and The Studio earning their first nominations. Seth Rogen secured a best actor in a comedy series nomination for his work on The Studio, while Kristen Bell earned recognition for Nobody Wants This.
Chelsea Handler returns to host the ceremony
Chelsea Handler will return as host for the Critics Choice Awards, bringing her comedic energy to the ceremony airing live on E! and USA Network at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 14. The event will broadcast from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, gathering the entertainment industry’s biggest names for an evening celebrating achievement in film and television.
The ceremony represents one of the first major stops on the awards season circuit, often providing early indicators of potential Oscar and Emmy contenders. With its expanded categories and competitive lineups, the 2026 Critics Choice Awards promises to deliver memorable moments as the industry honors the year’s most acclaimed work.
