The Best, Worst and Most Oops Moments of the Critics Choice Awards 2026

Best Reference: The ‘Hacks’ Cast Is ‘Supreme’-ly Funny

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner made a major statement at the L.A. premiere of Marty Supreme in their coordinating orange Chrome Hearts outfits. Less than a month later, Hacks costars Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter somehow topped that statement in identical replicas of the looks, right down to the ping pong paddle.

Best Light Ribbing: Chelsea Handler’s Monologue

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 DiCaprio about being stuck in St. Barths on a yacht (“it was like Titanic, but worse because Jeff Bezos was there”) and referring to a recent Billy Bob Thornton nude scene in Landman (“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!

Some stars pretend they didn’t prepare a speech. Sarah Snook truly did not — and then she won for her role in All 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

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 like the rivalry wasn’t the only thing that was heated …

Best Night for Theater Kids

Even though watching Owen Cooper in Adolescence meant that we had extreme anxiety just looking at Sinners’ 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 Case for Earlobe Botox

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

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, and Luhnuhsa, respectively. In any case, you can call them winners.

Worst Night to Have Worn Your Basic Tux

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

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

Accepting the best actress award for her role in Hamnet, 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 as KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature? We’re ready for the singing voices of the characters to get their own action adventure.