The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced today the nominees for the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards with an exclusive broadcast across E! and USA Network linear channels and digital platforms. The winners will be revealed at a gala hosted by Chelsea Handler, which will broadcast LIVE on E! and USA Network on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 7-10 p.m. ET/PT, held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
“We are so excited to kick off awards season in the new year, gathering hundreds of TV, film and streaming stars in one glamorous room for the first major awards show of 2026,” said CCA CEO Joey Berlin. “Our voters are the critics and entertainment reporters who help audiences find the best of the best every day, all year long. Their collective opinions are the most informed and reliable in the business. We are thrilled to share this incredible group of nominees with audiences around the world today, and can’t wait to celebrate this year’s outstanding performances and projects at the Critics Choice Awards on January 4th.”
Across all categories, Sinners leads the Critics Choice Awards film contenders with 17 nominations, nearly matching the record of 18 that Barbie achieved two years ago. Adolescence leads this year’s television nominees with six nominations including a nod for Best Limited Series.
Read on for this year’s animation and visual effects category contenders. See the full list of nominees at criticschoice.com.
Best Animated Feature:
Arco (Neon)
Elio (Disney/Pixar Animation Studios)
In Your Dreams (Netflix)
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain (GKIDS)
Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
Best Animated Series:
Bob’s Burgers (Fox)
Harley Quinn (HBO Max)
Long Story Short (Netflix)
Marvel Zombies (Disney+)
South Park (Comedy Central)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Disney+)
Best Visual Effects:
Avatar: Fire and Ash (20th Century Studios) – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett
F1 (Apple Original Films) – Ryan Tudhope, Nikeah Forde, Robert Harrington, Nicolas Chevallier, Eric Leven, Edward Price, Keith Dawson
Frankenstein (Netflix) – Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess, Ivan Busquets, José Granell
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount Pictures) – Alex Wuttke, Ian Lowe, Jeff Sutherland, Kirstin Hall –
Sinners (Warner Bros.) – Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter, Donnie Dean
Superman (Warner Bros.) – Stephane Ceretti, Enrico Damm, Stéphane Nazé, Guy Williams
Best Song:
“Drive” – Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Blake Slatkin – F1 (Apple Original Films)
“Golden” – Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, Teddy – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
“I Lied to You” – Raphael Saadiq, Ludwig Göransson – Sinners (Warner Bros.)
“Clothed by the Sun” – Daniel Blumberg – The Testament of Ann Lee (Searchlight Pictures)
“Train Dreams” – Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner – Train Dreams (Netflix)
“The Girl in the Bubble” – Stephen Schwartz – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
Sunday (Dec. 7) Awards Update:
To date, the following animated features have won the major year-end prizes:
- KPop Demon Hunters (New York Film Critics Circle Award)
- Arco (National Board of Review Award)
- Little Amelie or the Quality of Rain (L.A. Film Critics Association Award)
