On Jan. 4, 2026, the Critics’ Choice Awards took place, granting successful and well-received movies various titles for their accomplishments. The Critics’ Choice Award is an annual award show that honors films for their outstanding acting, score, instrumental music composed specifically for the film, cinematography, and other categories. This year, Sinners, Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Hamnet, Weapons, K-Pop Demon Hunters, The Naked Gun and The Secret Agent received awards for their respective films.
Sinners, which came out Apr. 18, 2025, was in circulation for the majority of last year for its originality and message that gained traction with fans, earning $368 million at the box office. Sinners displayed themes of racism in a Jim Crow era, highlighting the community held by African Americans when surrounded by threats and their ability to find joy through it all, until they are attacked by an insatiable vampire. Because of such thematic concepts and special care by director Ryan Coogler alongside the actors and actresses, Sinners had an impact on those who watched it. At the awards, Sinners won Best Original Screenplay for Ludwig Göransson, Best Score, Best Young Actor/Actresses for Miles Canton and Best Casting and Ensemble by Francine Maisler. Winning in four categories, Sinners tied first with Frankenstein for the most awards, another movie that is well-endowed by fans.
Also winning in four categories, Frankenstein secured awards for Best Supporting Actor for Jacob Elordi, Best Production Design for Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau, Best Costume Design for Kate Hawley and Best Makeup for Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey. The 2025 remake of Frankenstein displayed a whole new perspective on Dr. Frankenstein and his monster under the guidance of director Guillermo del Toro. Although the movie wasn’t officially released in theaters and only had select viewing because of its release on Netflix, it still reached No.1 on the English Films list and an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Even though it was only released at the end of the year, Marty Supreme was able to have its fair share of winnings as well. Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie, came out on Dec. 25, 2025. The film won Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet’s role as Marty. Despite its release date, Marty Supreme was able to walk away with an award for Chalamet’s outstanding role as Marty, referencing nationally recognized tennis player Marty Reisman, conveying the conviction and effort it takes to pursue one’s dreams.
The runner-up for the second most awards is taken by the movie One Battle After Another. One Battle After Another won three awards during the Critics’ Choice Awards. One Battle After Another won Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson and Best Adapted Screenplay, also for Paul Thomas Anderson. The lead role of this movie was taken by Leonardo DiCaprio as he plays an old revolutionary forced back into the fray when his daughter, played by Chase Infiniti, is targeted by a military colonel. K-Pop Demon Hunters, an animated film released over the summer in 2025 received a few awards, placing it behind One Battle After Another in awards total.
The next award-winning film, K-Pop Demon Hunters, was released on Jun. 20, 2025, and received Best Animated Feature and Best Song for “Golden”. Upon its release, K-Pop Demon Hunters garnered a lot of attention for its original soundtrack, hence its award for Best Song. K-Pop Demon Hunters is about a young woman named Rumi and her two friends, Mira and Zoey, as they battle against the evil Gwi-Ma. Ever since the movie’s release, it hasn’t left its 15-week spot in the top 10 on Netflix.
Various other movies, including Naked Gun, Hamnet, Weapons and The Secret Agent all obtained single awards. Naked Gun got the Best Comedy, Best Actress for Hamnet, Best Supporting Actress and Best Foreign Language Film for The Secret Agent. In their own respective fields, all winners obtained awards for what they showed excellence in. There are still many award shows to be held where other nominees could have their chance to shine.
