The film and television industry is buzzing with anticipation as the Critics Choice Awards 2026 approach. With the ceremony set for January 4, 2026, the final winners remain a closely guarded secret. While nominations and industry buzz provide hints, the true outcomes will only be revealed when the envelopes are opened. Based on critical acclaim, the strength of nominations, and patterns from the current awards season, here is a detailed forecast for the major categories, complete with an alternative contender for each.
Film Categories: The Major Contenders
In the race for Best Picture, the epic drama One Battle After Another is the predicted frontrunner, with the powerful Sinners seen as its closest competitor. The directing category mirrors this, with Paul Thomas Anderson favored for One Battle After Another, while Ryan Coogler could surprise for Sinners.
The acting categories promise intense competition. For Best Actor, Leonardo DiCaprio is predicted to win for One Battle After Another, though Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme) is a strong alternative. The Best Actress race is tipped to go to Jessie Buckley for her role in Hamnet, with Emma Stone (Bugonia) in contention.
In the supporting fields, Benicio del Toro (One Battle After Another) and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) are joint predictions for Best Supporting Actor. For Best Supporting Actress, Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) is the pick, with Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) as the alternative.
Other notable film predictions include KPop Demon Hunters for Best Animated Feature, It Was Just an Accident for Best Foreign Language Film, and a potential win for Hans Zimmer's score for F1.
Television Categories: Series and Performances
The small screen categories are equally competitive. The Pitt is forecast to take home Best Drama Series, while the acclaimed comedy Hacks is predicted to win Best Comedy Series. The limited series category is a tight contest, with Adolescence favored over All Her Fault.
In drama acting, Noah Wyle (The Pitt) and Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age) lead the predictions for Best Actor and Actress, respectively. The comedy acting fields see veterans like Seth Rogen (The Studio) and Jean Smart (Hacks) as frontrunners.
For limited series acting, Stephen Graham and Sarah Snook are the actors to watch for their work in Adolescence and All Her Fault. Squid Game and South Park are tipped to win in the Foreign Language and Animated Series categories.
How and When to Watch in India
The wait for the winners will end on January 4, 2026. The ceremony will be streamed live on Hulu in the United States. For viewers in India, the exclusive streaming partner is JioHotstar. The broadcast will begin at 5:30 am IST, allowing Indian audiences to catch all the glamour, speeches, and surprises live.
While these predictions are based on careful analysis of the awards landscape, the true excitement of the Critics Choice Awards lies in its unpredictability. Tune in on January 4th to see which forecasts come true and which underdogs claim victory.
