2026 Critics Choice Awards Best and Worst Moments From the Ceremony
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Awards season kicked off with a bang at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
The event, hosted by Chelsea Handlertakes place on Sunday, January 4, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, with an impressive lineup of nominees from TV and film to celebrate this year’s biggest hits.
It was a great night Ryan Cooler‘s They are sinnerswhich led the pack with 17 nominations, including Best Picture. Finally, One Battle After Another ended up winning the coveted trophy for the night’s grand prize. Elsewhere, Jessie Buckley she took home the award for Best Actress for the role she played Hamnet while Timothée Chalamet he won the Best Actor award for his role Marty Supreme.
And of course, one of the highlights of the night was Handler’s always fun commentary that went along with her eye-catching outfits throughout the event, including a nod to Late Night. Diane Keaton in a black fitted suit.
Scroll below for the best and worst moments of the awards show.
Best: Chelsea Handler’s Monologue
Chelsea Handler brought the laughs with her sweet, humorous monologue Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, Teyana Taylor and more. At one point, he called Timothée Chalamet “little Labubu.”
Amongst all the quips was a sincere and heartfelt tribute to the late director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reinerone month later they were found dead in their home in Brentwood, California. Handler remembered Reiner as “the nicest guy in Hollywood.” (Their son Nick Reiner he was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.)
“Anyone who has ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the minute you met him, you felt like an old friend,” he said. “When you were talking to him, he was there and he was focused and funny, and he would ask you a lot of questions, whether you were talking about politics or film or the latest beauty trends, he was totally into it.”
Worst: Several Stars Missed the Show
It seems that several stars decided to skip the night’s festivities and were not seen on the red carpet or in the audience, as if Cynthia Erivo, George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow again Sean Penn. Kristen Bell and it appears she attended the awards show alone, like her husband, Dax Shepardhe did not appear in the audience.
Best: Kathy Bates Licks a Ping Pong Paddle
All eyes were fixed Kathy Bates when Chelsea Handler told the crowd that Timothée Chalamet had arrived on the scene and one lucky person had a ping pong paddle under his seat, accompanying his film. Marty Supreme. Handler said that whoever rowed would have a chance to beat Chalamet at the party. The camera cuts to Bates holding the paddle and continuing to lick it, causing everyone to laugh.
Justin Theroux’s wife, Nicole Brydon Bloom, put her bump on full display at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards in a stylish ensemble. Brydon Bloom, 31, hugged her pregnant belly as she posed for photos on the red carpet on Sunday, January 4, wearing a champagne-colored dress covered in sparkling sequins. He was wearing his long blouse […]
Worst: No Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson Reunion
Although many Us they hoped to see The Naked Gun costars Pamela Anderson again Liam Neeson we met on the red carpet, that didn’t happen. The film won the award for Best Comedy, announced during the show’s E! on the red carpet, but Neeson and Anderson weren’t there to celebrate.
Worst: Jessie Buckley Is Paul Mescal’s BFF and We’re Not
During her acceptance speech for best actress, Jessie Buckley screamed loudly Hamnet the costar Paul Mescalwhich does Us and millions of people watching at home are jealous.
“Paul, I love you, man,” she said, as the camera panned to Mescal in the crowd. “And I know a lot of other women in this room do it too, but — tough s***!”
Best: Owen Cooper and ‘Adolescence’ Win Big
Youth‘s Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham again Erin Doherty took home trophies in their respective categories, as well as the Best Limited Series match win. At just 16 years old, Cooper is already preparing for an amazing path in show business.
“Although this past year has been a complete whirlwind for my family and me, honestly. We’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” To the directors, producers, cast, crew, you have taken me on an emotional journey that I never thought I could go on.”
“He believed in me, pushed me when things were tough and showed incredible patience when I got there,” Cooper continued. “Some of those times were really hard, and I couldn’t have done it without you. Getting this award means more to me than I can put into words.”
Best: Chelsea Handler Pays Tribute to Diane Keaton
Later in the show, Chelsea Handler appeared on stage wearing black pants to pay her respects Diane Keaton.
“This little dress gives me Diane Keaton, another person I think we should remember tonight,” she said after honoring the late director Rob Reiner in her opening monologue.
Handler said Keaton “is someone who has made a huge contribution to all of us and to everyone in the room here. So I think it’s a good vibe to remember all these good people, right. Let’s keep the vibe high.”
Keaton, who died on October 11, 2025, of bacterial pneumonia, was known for his red carpet styling and formal pantsuits in addition to his versatile film roles over the years.
Worst: Adam Sandler Walks Bare
For people who wanted roots Adam Sandler this awards season for his role in Jay Kellywas an incredible success at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. It was Jacob Elordi who took home the award for Best Supporting Actor at the ceremony Frankenstein. (Don’t worry, we’ll still do it for you at the Golden Globes, Adam!)
Best: Teyana Taylor’s Amazing Reaction
It didn’t end there Teyana Taylor she looked gorgeous on the red carpet in matching fur accents, but she proved to be the most supportive queen in the audience throughout the night. When Paul Thomas AndersonTaylor’s name was called to honor Best Director, and Taylor quickly jumped to her feet to hug her. When the film won Best Picture, Taylor and her costars took the stage with Anderson, cheering her on during her emotional speech.
