31st Critics Choice Awards: Anticipation and Predictions

The 31st Critics Choice Awards, scheduled for January 4, 2026, will be hosted by Chelsea Handler. This year's nominations are led by Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners," which has garnered 17 nominations. However, Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" is projected to dominate the evening, with predictions suggesting it will win Best Picture, Best Director for Anderson, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

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The acting categories are expected to showcase a competitive landscape. Timothée Chalamet is nominated for Best Actor for his role in "Marty Supreme," with strong competition from Leonardo DiCaprio in "One Battle After Another" and Ethan Hawke in "Blue Moon." In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley for "Hamnet" is favored, while Rose Byrne in "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You" could emerge as a surprise contender. The Best Supporting Actor race features Benicio del Toro from "One Battle After Another" and Stellan Skarsgård from "Sentimental Value," while the Best Supporting Actress category includes Ariana Grande for "Wicked: For Good" and Teyana Taylor for "One Battle After Another."

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The Critics Choice Association, consisting of approximately 575 voting members, has historically been a reliable indicator of Oscar momentum. The following predictions have been made for key categories:

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• Best Picture: "One Battle After Another" (Alternate: "Sinners")

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• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another" (Alternate: Ryan Coogler, "Sinners")

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• Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet, "Marty Supreme" (Alternate: Leonardo DiCaprio, "One Battle After Another")

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• Best Actress: Jessie Buckley, "Hamnet" (Alternate: Rose Byrne, "If I Had Legs I’d Kick You")

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• Best Supporting Actor: Benicio del Toro, "One Battle After Another" (Alternate: Stellan Skarsgård, "Sentimental Value")

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• Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan, "Weapons" (Alternate: Ariana Grande, "Wicked: For Good")

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• Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, "Sinners" (Alternate: Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie, "Marty Supreme")

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• Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson, "One Battle After Another" (Alternate: Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell, "Hamnet")

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While predictions lean heavily towards "One Battle After Another," some critics argue that the awards may not reflect the broader diversity of talent this year. The potential for upsets in acting categories indicates a more fluid race, suggesting that the ceremony could surprise audiences with unexpected winners.

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• “A great speech and a huge victory can be a game-changer in a race this tight.” — Variety

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• “The Critics Choice Association, comprising of roughly 575 voting members, has historically served as a reliable barometer for Oscar momentum.” — Variety

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As the ceremony approaches, the anticipation surrounding the Critics Choice Awards continues to build, with both "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" poised to make significant impacts on the awards landscape.

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