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TheCritics Choice Awards 2026kicked things off Jan. 4 with everything an awards show completist could want: An interesting red carpet with lots to discuss; a brisk and effervescent monologue from host Chelsea Handler which read the room well; lots of deserved wins in very competitive categories; and of course, some good, bad and cringe moments from presenters, winners and audience members alike.
Read on for everything you need to know to be caught up on the show, including a major relationship milestone, a case of botched pronunciation and the style moment to beat for the entire awards season.
Related:Critics Choice Awards 2026 Red Carpet Arrivals: See Every Photo
Best Reference: The 'Hacks' Cast Is 'Supreme'-ly Funny
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Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner made a major statement at the L.A. premiere ofMarty Supremein their coordinating orange Chrome Hearts outfits. Less than a month later,Hackscostars Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter somehowtoppedthat statement in identical replicas of the looks, right down to the ping pong paddle.
Best Light Ribbing: Chelsea Handler's Monologue
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Host Chelsea Handler promised to keep the vibes good — after all, she said, the people in the room would be spending a lot of time together for the next few months, so they had to start on a good note — but still managed to get a handful of barbs in and earn some laughs while doing it.
After joyfully congratulating Jacob Elordi on his height ("do you know how many men in this room who'd be willing to Frankenstein themselves to 5-ft.-9-in."),commiserating with Leonardo DiCaprioaboutbeing stuck in St. Barths on a yacht("it was likeTitanic, but worse because Jeff Bezos was there") and referring to a recent Billy Bob Thornton nude scene inLandman("Taylor Sheridan said it was nice to have a dick on set that wasn't Kevin Costner"),Handler finished her monologue by encouraging everyone to look out for each other, as the late Rob and Michelle Reiner always did. She struck a balance of teasing with love that can be hard to hit in a room full of famous people.
Oops, I Think You're Looking for the Other Stylish Blonde Lady
The only person caught off guard during the monologue: Kristen Bell, to whom the cameras cut after Handler made a joke about Gwyneth Paltrow missing the ceremony for the ski slopes. ("Look out!") After a few beats, Bell nervously laughed and appeared to mouth "What? Why me?!"
Oops, Sarah Snook Forgot What She Was Doing Here!
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Some stars pretend they didn't prepare a speech. Sarah Snook truly did not — andthen she won for her role inAll Her Fault.
"My husband was like, 'You seem a bit distant,' in the car on the way here, and I was like, 'Yeah, I just had forgotten what we were doing, and I didn't write a speech or anything, and I'm just trying to go through some things now,'" Snook said. "And then I forgot when we got here again, 'cause it was so nice to see everybody, and now I've gotten up here, and I'm regretting all of it."
After fishing around for some names, she decided to keep things short and sweet: "Thanks very much. This is really great. Thank you! Bye!"
Best Meme of 2026 and It's Only January 4
Handler announced that whoever found a ping pong paddle under their seat got to spank Timothée Chalamet with it.Kathy Bates was ready and willing.
Most Unable to Restrain Themselves: The Audience
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When François Arnaud took the stage with Sherry Cola to present their category, they almost couldn't get their patter out over the screams of the audience. Looks likethe rivalry wasn't the only thing that was heated...
Best Night for Theater Kids
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Even though watching Owen Cooper inAdolescencemeant that we had extreme anxiety just looking atSinners'Miles Caton holding his phone, both of the young stars' acceptance speeches (Cooper, 16, won for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series and Caton, 20, won for Best Young Actor) were serious, sincere and so very sweet.
Best (?) Consolation Prize
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Jimmy Kimmel won for Best Talk Show, but declared he would have rather taken home theFIFA Peace Prize— one ofseveral pointed jabs he took at President Donald Trumpduring his acceptance speech.
Best Case for Earlobe Botox
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Rose Byrne (in 7.43-carat diamond Messika danglers), Jessie Buckley (in diamond-and-onyx Boucheron) and Janelle James (wearing Anayah's silver-and-moissanite earrings) were dangerously stylish — and we do mean dangerous. Stand too close and you could lose an eye to one of these mega-carat danglers.
Worst Time to Get it Wrong
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On such a major night, when your name is read aloud for your big moment in the spotlight as a nominee or presenter, you've gotta hope they read it right. Such was not the case for Miles Caton, Keltie Knight or Katherine LaNasa, who each heard their name pronounced as Ca-ton, Kelsey, andLuhnuhsa, respectively. In any case, you can call them winners.
Worst Night to Have Worn Your Basic Tux
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Amy Madigan (wearing Dior), Ethan Hawke and Tramell Tillman all stole the show in their elaborately embroidered floral menswear. And considering that Madigan and Tillman won in their categories, they clearly were more than ready for their close-up.
Best, Generally
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We just need to show you this picture of Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen to remind you to "get yourself someone who looks at you like" etc etc.
Oops, She May Have Just Picked a Fight with Half the Audience
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Acceptingthe best actress award for her role inHamnet,Jessie Buckley reminded the audience that she got to be married onscreen to Internet Boyfriend Paul Mescal.
"Paul, I bloody love you, man," she said, as he giggled and blushed. "And I know loads of other women in this room do too, but — tough s---!"
Best Pitch for a Live Action Sequel
How cute were Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and Ejae, crying and holding hands asKPop Demon Hunterswon Best Animated Feature? We're ready for the singing voices of the characters to get their own action adventure.
Worst Night for Anyone Who Doubted Kris Jenner
First step: Stage manage your daughters from reality stars to billionaires. End game:Your youngest daughter gets thanked (as "my partner of three years!") from the stage by an Oscar frontrunner. Sunday provided the latest family highlight for Kris Jenner, who must be loving the new milestone for Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet!
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