Critics Choice Awards 2026 Honor Best Performances — Top Winner List

See the complete Critics Choice Awards 2026 winners list. Timothée Chalamet, Jessie Buckley, Jacob Elordi & top film and TV performances honored.

Published: January 5, 2026, 12:42 pm

If you caught the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards 2026 on January 4, you saw that the atmosphere at the Barker Hangar was not just about bright lights and glamour. For the fourth year in a row, the night was hosted by Chelsea Handler and it seemed less like a celebratory back slap and more like a nod to hard work.

Whether it was 12-hour makeup sessions or five-minute television episodes, the winners this year didn’t only act, they suffered. The message from the Critics Choice Association (CCA) was loud and clear: in 2026, the line between technical risk and extraordinary physical commitment is where the industry’s attention lies. 

Timothée Chalamet: Marty Supreme in The King of Spin Marty Supreme 

(Best Actor Winner)

The weepy Timothée Chalamet as Brooding Heartthrob, Desert Messiah in Dune is not who Marty Supreme is at all, he’s fully reimagined himself. Chalamet Won Best Actor for portraying a 1950s ping-pong wunderkind based on the real life Marty Reisman.

But this was about more than whacking a ball back and forth. He was described as having a “singularly enervating intensity”. Marty was not a sportsman, but a hustler—a guy who could talk some unbeatable nonsense, who could pair swagger with geeky glasses, and who was so engulfed in his need to win that he was willing to try anything. It was a kinetic, fizzy, electrified turn, the kind that reassures you he can fill a film with their souls alone, and in pure physical comedy. 

Jessie Buckley: The grieving mother in Hamnet 

(Best Actress Winner)

If Chalamet delivered the energy, Jessie Buckley delivered the tears. Taking home Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes (Shakespeare’s wife) in Hamnet, Buckley gave what could be the most gut-wrenching performance of the year.

The storyline deals with the loss of her child, Hamnet, and the sorrows that led to Hamlet. Buckley’s performance was said to be “a privilege to watch.” She never merely portrayed a historical figure; she captured the raw, earth-shattering agony of a mother fighting to keep her life intact. It was a quiet, powerful turn that stood out against flashier roles, proving that sometimes the loudest emotions are the ones spoken in whispers. 

Jacob Elordi: A Monster Reborn in Frankenstein 

(Best Supporting Actor Winner)

Jacob Elordi is now officially more than just a teen heartthrob. Awarded Best Supporting Actor for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Elordi achieved the impossible: he brought us to tears over a monster.1 His role wasn’t about scary make-up or snarling. He reputedly studied Butoh (a Japanese “dance of darkness”) in order to capture the creature’s motions, make such a physicality that was at once a terrifying and sincerely moving figure.

He portrayed the Monster not as a villain, but as an acting soul imprisoned in a grotesque body, one who was turned away from by his maker. It was a “physical” act- ing, in the widest sense — using his back, his shoulders and his eyes as well as his voice. 

Amy Madigan: The Terrifying Aunt Gladys in Weapons 

(Best Supporting Actress Winner)

The lack of appreciation for horror at awards shows makes Amy Madigan’s victory for Best Supporting Actress all the more gratifying. In the surprise hit Weapons as Aunt Gladys, a figure who immediately became a horror icon.

Madigan, a 75-year-old seasoned actress, said she was astonished by the win, she thought people would just “dig” the movie – not fall in love with “terrifying” her character. She teetered between a kooky, eccentric senior citizen and a predatory natural force. To be the most frightening person at the party and be so hypnotically watchable is a rare achievement, and the reviews strongly confirmed that. 

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Big Night 

We may as well not speak of winners without mentioning the night’s biggest—err, biggest champion? Paul Thomas Anderson won both Best Picture and Best Director for One Battle After Another.

The film is densely plotted, an “exquisitely detailed fantasy” about former revolutionaries meeting to rescue a daughter. It’s political and personal and very, very complex – and well, that’s just what the critics called the masterpiece of resistance and hope. I mean it’s not just the one actor here, it’s a conductor (Anderson) behind the wheel of an orchestra of stellar performers (including Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor) who create the best film of the year. 

Read More 👉 Five Nights at Freddy 2 Is All About What Survival Takes From You

TV Drama Winners at a Glance:

Category Winner Show Key Context
Best Drama The Pitt HBO Max Medical realism meets pandemic trauma.
Best Actor Noah Wyle The Pitt A return to form with “urgent” authenticity.
Best Actress Rhea Seehorn Pluribus Sci-Fi nuance; playing a resistor in a hive-mind.
Best Limited Series Adolescence Netflix A technical feat of one-shot storytelling.

Genre Bias is Dead

Perhaps the most heartening bit from the 31st Critics Choice Awards is that “Genre isn’t a slur anymore. ”Horror and Sci-Fi, two genres long neglected at awards time, dominated the discussion.

  • Sci-Fi: Pluribus won big for Rhea Seehorn, interrogating profound philosophical dilemmas about free will through an alien invasion story.
  • Horror: Not only did Frankenstein and Weapons (featuring Best Supporting Actress victor Amy Madigan) demonstrate that horror movies could manage organismic collapse AND losing one’s innocence,
  • Vampire Epics: Ryan Coogler’s Sinners won for Score and Ensemble, and young Miles Caton took home Best Young Performer. 

Conclusion

The 2026 ceremony wasn’t about the speeches (though Noah Wyle’s tribute to healthcare workers was a tear-jerker), it was about the work. The Critics Choice Association took risks in its rewards. They watched Chalamet playing ping-pong half-blind, Elordi starving in a makeup chair, Stephen Graham doing a one-hour monologue in a single take and thought: This is the bar now.

As we head toward the Oscars, one thing is clear: The industry is turning its back on polished perfection and embracing a gritty, sweaty, technically dazzling brand of realism. 

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Alpana is Fandomfans Senior Editor across all genres of entertainment. She evolved in the media industry since a very long time, she manages the content strategy and editing of all the blogs. Her focus on story development, review analysis, and research is well-equipped that ensures every article meets the standards of accuracy and depth.

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Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’: Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim Lead a Major Franchise Push

Disney confirms Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim for the live-action Tangled. Explore cast details, release timeline, and Disney’s big franchise plan.

Written by: Alpana
Published: January 8, 2026, 9:54 am
Disney’s Live-Action

The whole studio is behind the Tangled franchise, and the announcement from Walt Disney Pictures yesterday that Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim have been cast as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in the live-action adaptation of Tangled is just the icing on the cake.

The project, which has survived a tumultuous development process that has included long periods of dormancy and a reshuffling of the workforce, is now being advertised as the cornerstone of Disney’s theatrical lineup for the late 2020s. Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) and written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge), the film will be an adaptation of the 2010 animated classic to a “high-stakes musical event” exclusively for theatrical release. 

The selection of Croft and Manheim comes after an extensive international search and a number of intense screen tests held in London in the month of December 2025. This represents a clear and marked shift in the direction of casting actors who have solid musical theatre credentials and meaningful experience in the genre. 

Tangled

As Disney contends with the post-pandemic box office environment and the complicated legacy of its prior live-action remakes, the Tangled film comes not only as a nostalgic gambit, but a shrewd bid to attract the rising Gen-Z and millennial audiences who consider the original movie a key cultural touchstone. 

Disney’s Strategic Reset: Why Tangled Became a Studio Priority

The path of the live-action Tangled is impossible to trace without placing it in the context of the financial situation for Walt Disney Studios as a whole. Entering late 2024 and into 2025, the studio was introspective, after a string of financial disappointments on key titles, most especially the live-action Snow White. Industry analysts noted a waning in public interest in remakes of early 20th century classics, which fueled speculation that projects such as Tangled had been put on hold indefinitely as to prevent any further risk. 

But the tides turned with the live-action Lilo and Stitch theatrical debut in May-2025. With a worldwide gross of over $1 billion, Lilo and Stitch demonstrated that remakes of “modern classics” (films originally released during the Disney Renaissance in the 2000s) had their own draw. This success restored corporate trust in the Tangled brand.

With a theatrical-only release, Disney is making clear that Tangled is to be a major cinematic event for the brand, rather than a direct-to-streaming filler. This strategy mirrors that of the upcoming Moana live action, set for release in July 2026, and maximum theatrical revenue before coming to Disney+. 

Disney’s Live-Action Track Record

Film TitleRelease DateOriginal Animated GrossKey Strategic Driver
Snow WhiteMarch/2025$418M (Adj.)Re-evaluating early classics after underperformance.
Lilo and StitchMay/2025$273MThe $1B success that revived the remake pipeline.
MoanaJuly 10, 2026$643MLeveraging modern IP and star power.
TangledProd. June 2026$592.5MTargeting Gen-Z nostalgia and musical theater fans.

Casting the Crown Jewels: Finding Rapunzel and Flynn

The hunt for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider was all-consuming and ended in chemistry tests in London just before the holiday season of 2025. In contrast to earlier casting calls which were geared towards attracting A-list celebrity names to serve as marketing anchors, the Tangled production team was looking for vocal performers who could capture the emotional complexity of the characters and who had the vocal endurance to perform Alan Menken’s -folk-rock score. 

Teagan Croft as Rapunzel

Teagan Croft is a young Australian actress of 21 years old, who was chosen from a multitude of finalists. Her previous work as Rachel Roth (Raven) on the DC show Titans was key to her casting. To play Raven, Croft had to grapple with isolation and secret empowerment—narrative beats that, surprisingly, mirror those Rapunzel undergoes as a prisoner of Mother Gothel.

Teagan Croft as Rapunzel

Additionally, Croft’s turn in Netflix’s True Spirit showcased her ability to head a family-friendly survival film. From the very beginning, Rapunzel isn’t a typical princess with “Tangled”: she’s a bohemian dreamer and inquisitive teenager who’s been living as an insanely long tag-along to Mother Gothel for eighteen years. Croft’s talent for encompassing “wonder, grit, and curiosity” all at once made her the obvious choice. 

Milo Manheim’s Flynn Rider

According to THR, the casting of Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider (aka Eugene Fitzherbert) is celebrated in the Disney fandom. Manheim is a “Disney-native” talent, with seven years leading the Zombies franchise. From this, he gained an insight into the mechanics of the musical storytelling of the studio like no other.

Milo Manheim’s Flynn Rider

Aside from his Disney Channel background, Manheim has made a name for himself as a powerhouse stage actor, most recently starring in Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway. The role of Flynn Rider is notoriously difficult to nail down—it’s a very specific type of arrogance you have to convey paired with sincerity– the “smolder” has to be hilarious but the eventual vulnerability has to be real. Manheim’s previous Dancing with the Stars tenure further guarantees he has the nimble body necessary for swashbuckling action sequences. 

Read More :- Game of Thrones Star Sophie Turner Says Sansa Stark Got a Perfect Ending

Michael Gracey’s High-Stakes Musical Vision

Michael Gracey’s selection as director suggests a certain aesthetic for the film. Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman, is known for fusing modern musical tastes with the traditional theater spectacle. This one-size-fits-all template is especially curious when applied to Tangled, whose Alan Menken original score was a “folk-rock” departure from Broadway norms.

The director’s approach to films tend to focus on a “heightened reality.” For Tangled, this probably means that the Kingdom of Corona will be realized in tangible settings, rather than relying on the sterile “blue-screen” method. Backing Gracey is screenwriter Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose keen dialogue in Do Revenge indicates that the live-action script will keep the animated film’s sharp, current humor. 

The High-Pressure Search for Mother Gothel

While the leads have been disclosed, the Mother Gothel part is still very much up for grabs. Early reports suggested that Scarlett Johansson was attached, but she departed the project due to schedule conflicts. So there’s a gap to fill now, for the heart and soul of the film. 

Fans have made their support for Donna Murphy – the original voice actress, to come back to the role heard far and wide, and others have brought up Kathryn Hahn as a potential replacement for charismatic, manipulative roles. 

Conclusion

Production is scheduled to start in June 2026, indicating an arrival just for the big screen in late 2027 or 2028. The schedule provides ample time for the complex post-production work needed for the tricky physics of Rapunzel’s hair along with the environmental VFX.

The signing of Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim is more than just a headline, it is the first step in a massive multi-year plan to revive the Kingdom of Corona. The world awaits the lantern launch, and for the first time in years, the “dream” of a viable live action Rapunzel transition seems attainable. 

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Alpana is Fandomfans Senior Editor across all genres of entertainment. She evolved in the media industry since a very long time, she manages the content strategy and editing of all the blogs. Her focus on story development, review analysis, and research is well-equipped that ensures every article meets the standards of accuracy and depth.

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10 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Tom Cruise That Prove Why He’s the Unstoppable King of Hollywood

Daredevil stunts, legendary roles- here are 10 incredible facts about Tom Cruise and why he's Hollywood's biggest star and cultural icon. Read more...!

Written by: Emma
Published: February 9, 2025, 5:04 am
Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is a global superstar and his name alone is enough to fill cinema halls. He has been in the business for 40 plus years and has become a Hollywood legend. He began with a breakout role in Risky Business and later rose to prominence with Top Gun: Maverick. His films deliver massive box office success and critical acclaim.

Tom Cruise’s commitment and skill make him invincible. Here are 10 mind-boggling facts that prove why he’s still one of the greatest and most influential actors in Hollywood today.

1. Record-Breaking Box Office Success

Tom Cruise’s film have collectively grossed more than $12 billion globally. He is among the top grossing actors of all time. Audiences enjoy seeing his movies on the big screen. Top Gun: Maverick was his biggest success, grossing over $1.4 billion worldwide.

Tom’s accomplished career is a testament to the fact he is a bona fide Hollywood star. He continually churns out box office hits that shatter records and captivate millions.

2. Daredevil Stunt Performer

Tom Cruise does his own stunts in his films because That’s the only way for me to make the things feel real. He has climbed skyscrapers and held on to the exterior of planes. He’s ridden motorcycles fast. Tom Cruise’s brazen commitment to stunt work delivering the most incredible live actions to his fans, in one of the scenes, he jumps out of a plane and flies a helicopter in Mission: Impossible – Fallout that’s why everyone loves him. He’s set the standard for action films. 

3. Versatile Actor

Tom Cruise delivers a showcase of everything he’s capable of in all manner of film. He appears in romantic comedies, including Jerry Maguire, and in major dramatic roles like Rain Man. And he shines in action flicks, too —- Mission: Impossible. Tom’s versatility has enabled him to stay current and relevant and capture the hearts of multitude of audiences as the film industry changes.  

4. Three Golden Globe Awards

Tom Cruise is a three time Golden Globe winner. He was nominated for many awards for his excellent work. His parts in Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia also wowed critics. 

Three Golden Globe Awards -Tom Cruise
Image Credit: Deadline

These films proved that he was amazing. His awards and nominations are a testament to his enduring influence in Hollywood and the film industry.

5. Production Powerhouse

He is not just a big star of Hollywood but also a successful film producer. Cruise/Wagner Productions was formed in 1993. His company also produced several of his films, notably the Mission: Impossible franchise. Being a producer also gives him more control artistically. He makes sure every project lives up to his standards of quality and excellence. 

6. Cultural Icon

Tom Cruise “was Maverick” in Top Gun and “he was a legend because of that role.” That film’s memorable lines and sequences live on in the history of cinema. His performance ensured the success of his career in Hollywood and made him known all over the world. 

7. Philanthropic Efforts

Tom Cruise is known for his powerful performances and his charitable work. He partners with organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer. That shows he has a real passion for doing good. Every step he takes speaks of a benevolent heart and well-disposed mind to make use of his renown. He promises to help individuals and important causes beyond Hollywood. 

8. Enduring Popularity

Tom Cruise has been embroiled in numerous controversies, yet his popularity remains undiminished. He just keeps making hits that people want to see. Despite difficulties in the public eye, he has retained a loyal fan following. That just goes to show how talented and charming he really is. 

9. Innovative Filmmaking Techniques

Tom Cruise works with gifted filmmakers to stretch the boundaries of what is possible in film. For one, he has worked with Christopher McQuarrie on Mission: Impossible. They employed new techniques, including IMAX cameras and more sophisticated CGI. These innovations make for great action scenes and keep the audience’s heart racing. Cruise’s commitment to technology is raising the bar for movies.

10. A Legacy of Iconic Roles

Tom Cruise has portrayed some of the most famous characters in movies. He turned Maverick in Top Gun and Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible. These characters have had enormous impact on pop culture. They showcase his ability as an actor and solidify his legend status in Hollywood.

About The Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is an American actor and producer who is internationally recognized and apart from that he is also a pilot. He played a top-action hero role in many blockbusters including Top Gun (1986), Rain Man (1988), and Mission: Impossible (1996). His work has established him as one of the leading stars of Hollywood. 

Born as Thomas Cruise Mapother IV on July 3, 1962, in Syracuse, New York he was raised in a household with his electrical engineer father and special education teacher mother. Tom Cruise recently revealed that he first became interested in acting while still at school, and now you can watch him make his movie debut in Endless Love (1981).

About The Tom Cruise
Image Credit: CNN

His looks and charm both fit the clean cut and he was able to come to fame with this sense of versatility. During the 1990s, he was one of the highest-paid actors in the world. He has the Guinness World Record as the actor to star in most consecutive $100 million movies. 

Among other things, he was also recognized with the US Navy Distinguished Public Service Award in 2024 for his support of the military. He also received People’s Sexiest Man Alive title in 1990 and was listed among their Most Beautiful People lists in 1997. Cruise performs his own stunts He is reputed to perform his own stunts, which adds a further element of excitement to his action films. He is also a vocal supporter of the Church of Scientology.

Conclusion

Tom Cruise isn’t just a movie star—he’s a force that has transformed Hollywood for more than 40 years. With record-breaking box office, death-defying stunts, iconic characters, and groundbreaking filmmaking, Cruise just keeps reminding us why he’s got the top spot locked down so tight. His range of acting, discipline and his cinematic passion have enabled him to adapt to the time, all the while making unforgettable experiences on the big screen. As Maverick, Ethan Hunt or a compelling dramatic actor, Tom Cruise’s legacy is founded on consistency, boldness and cinematic brilliance. Here are 10 reasons that prove one thing: Tom Cruise isn’t slowing down—he’s still ruling Hollywood like the best of them. 

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Emma

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Emma Miller is an entertainment enthusiast who is focusing on crafting storytelling blogs across all genres. Her special focus is build up around superheroes, thrillers, & historical dramas and movies. Her experience of delivering sharp review analysis and interview podcasts is helping fans to get transparency about their favorite cinema.

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