The race for critical acclaim in the 2026 awards season has intensified, with the announcement of the nominations for the 46th annual London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. Paul Thomas Anderson's gripping thriller One Battle After Another has emerged as the frontrunner, securing an impressive nine nominations.
Frontrunners and Contenders
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as an ex-revolutionary forced back into a life of conflict, One Battle After Another dominated the shortlist. It is closely followed by Chloé Zhao's Hamnet, a fictional account of William Shakespeare's grief, which earned eight nominations. Both films are in contention for the coveted Film of the Year award, with their leads—DiCaprio and Jessie Buckley, who plays Agnes Shakespeare—nominated for Actor and Actress of the Year respectively.
The competition remains fierce. Ryan Coogler's Southern horror Sinners received seven nominations, while Josh Safdie's sports comedy Marty Supreme and the dark comedy-drama Sorry, Baby earned six and five nods respectively. First-time writer-director-star Eva Victor is recognised in four categories for Sorry, Baby.
A Celebration of Human Creativity
Jane Crowther, chair of the London Critics’ Circle film section, highlighted the diversity and originality of this year's selections. ‘At a time when A.I. and homogeneity seems to be the shorthand answer to everything,’ she said, ‘it’s encouraging to see the films that our members voted for are teeming with human life, creativity and unique perspectives.’
She added: ‘Boasting bold, vital stories, real experiences and artistry, these movies and their creative teams are evidence that not everything can be made by an algorithm. The LFCC is delighted to be inviting such a diverse group of artists to our awards in February to celebrate their achievements.’
Key Categories and British Talent
The awards showcase a strong field of British and Irish talent. The British/Irish Film of the Year category features Harry Lighton's queer drama Pillion, competing against Hamnet, the musical comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island, Yorgos Lanthimos's sci-fi satire Bugonia, and Kirk Jones's crowdpleaser I Swear.
Other notable nominations include:
- Director of the Year: Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Óliver Laxe, Josh Safdie, and Chloé Zhao.
- Supporting Actor: Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another.
- Breakthrough Performer: Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at The May Fair in London on 1 February 2026, hosted by the renowned critic Mark Kermode. The nominations were decided by the 207 members of the Film section, with eligibility for films released in UK cinemas or on premiere streaming services between mid-February 2024 and mid-February 2025.
