The 2026 awards season kicked off in spectacular style on Sunday night as actor Jacob Elordi claimed his first major career honour at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards. The 28-year-old Australian star won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as the Creature in Guillermo del Toro's cinematic adaptation of Frankenstein.
A Surprise Victory for the Rising Star
Accepting the award at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, an evidently shocked Elordi admitted the victory had taken him completely by surprise. "Bloody hell - I really didn't plan for this," the actor, famed for his role as Nate Jacobs in HBO's Euphoria, told the star-studded audience. In a heartfelt speech, he paid tribute to the film's visionary director, Guillermo del Toro, stating, "Thank you, Guillermo del Toro. I love you. We all love you. You made my dreams when I was 11. I'm so happy to be here."
Elordi also extended his gratitude to the creative team behind his transformative role, including production designer Tamara Deverell, costume designer Kate Hawley, and prosthetics specialist Mike Hill. "You guys are geniuses," he said. "I couldn't walk around like this in front of a green screen. You guys made that world - so thank you."
The Ceremony That Sets the Awards Season Tone
Hosted for a fourth consecutive year by Chelsea Handler, the glitzy ceremony is widely regarded as a key bellwether for the Oscars, having accurately forecast numerous Academy Award wins in the past. With the Golden Globes not airing until 11th January this year, the Critics Choice Awards served as the first major televised awards event of 2026, providing studios and contenders with a crucial early boost.
Leading the film nominations this year was Ryan Coogler's Sinners, which garnered a staggering 17 nominations, just one shy of the record set by Barbie in 2024. It was closely followed by One Battle After Another with 14 nods, and Hamnet and Frankenstein, each securing 11 nominations.
Major Winners and Competitive Races
The night's top film honour, Best Picture, was claimed by One Battle After Another. In the fiercely competitive acting categories, Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme, while Jessie Buckley took home Best Actress for Hamnet. Amy Madigan was victorious in the Best Supporting Actress category for Weapons.
On the television side, The Pitt won Best Drama Series, and The Studio was named Best Comedy Series. The limited series Adolescence led the TV nominees with six nods and won its category. Sarah Snook won Best Actress in a Limited Series for All Her Fault, and Stephen Graham won Best Actor for Adolescence.
The ceremony, which introduced four new categories including Best Stunt Design and Best Sound, was broadcast live on the USA Network and E! from Santa Monica. It continues its legacy, begun in 1995, of celebrating cinematic and television excellence and guiding audiences towards the year's most outstanding storytelling.
