'Sinners' leads Critics Choice nods with 17 nominations

Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" dominated the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards nominations announced Thursday with 17 nods including best picture, director, and actor for Michael B. Jordan, nearly matching the record 18 nominations "Barbie" received two years ago.imdb+2

Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" followed with 14 nominations, while "Frankenstein" and "Hamnet" each earned 11 nods, with the ceremony introducing four new categories including best stunt design and best sound.awardswatch+1

The awards will air live January 4, 2026, hosted by Chelsea Handler at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, with the Critics Choice Awards historically serving as accurate predictors of Academy Award nominations.criticschoice

The Critics Choice Association unveiled nominations for the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Thursday, with Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" dominating the film categories with 17 nominations—nearly matching the all-time record of 18 set by "Barbie" two years ago. Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" followed closely with 14 nominations, while "Frankenstein" and "Hamnet" each secured 11 nods.imdb+2

The ceremony, set to air live on January 4, 2026, from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on E! and USA Network, marks the first time the awards will broadcast simultaneously on both networks. Chelsea Handler will return as host for her fourth consecutive year, bringing her signature humor to Hollywood's first major awards show of 2026.criticschoice+3

Film and Television Leaders Emerge

"Sinners" earned recognition across nearly every category, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Coogler, Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, and Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku. The film collected nominations in all technical categories—cinematography, production design, editing, costume design, hair and makeup, visual effects, stunt design, song, score, and sound.criticschoice+2

On the television side, Netflix's "Adolescence" led with six nominations, including Best Limited Series and acting nods for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, and Christine Tremarco. "Nobody Wants This" earned five nominations across comedy categories, with Adam Brody and Kristen Bell both recognized for their performances.yahoo+3

New Categories and Industry Impact

This year's ceremony introduces four new competitive categories: Best Variety Series, Best Stunt Design, Best Casting/Ensemble, and Best Sound, reflecting the evolving landscape of entertainment. Warner Bros. led all companies with 36 film nominations, while Netflix followed with 27 film nods and 31 television nominations.criticschoice+3

The Critics Choice Awards have historically served as accurate predictors of Academy Award nominations, with voting members representing approximately 575 critics and entertainment journalists across the United States and Canada. Notable omissions included director Cynthia Erivo from "Wicked: For Good," despite the film earning seven nominations including one for co-star Ariana Grande.variety+3

Among other contenders, "Sentimental Value" earned seven nominations including Best Picture and Best Director, while Best Picture nominees also included "Bugonia," "Jay Kelly," "Marty Supreme," "Train Dreams," and "Wicked: For Good". The complete list of nominees across film and television categories was announced during a livestream hosted by E! News anchors Keltie Knight and Erin Lim Rhodes.awardswatch+3

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