The 31st Critics Choice Awards are set for Sunday, with Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" leading nominations at 17 but Variety forecasting Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" to claim key prizes. The event, hosted by Chelsea Handler and airing live on E!, highlights a competitive field across film and television categories. Predictions suggest a split of honors, reflecting broad enthusiasm in the industry.
The Critics Choice Awards, organized by an association of about 575 voting members, often signal Oscar trends, as seen last year when "Anora" leveraged its win for Academy success after earlier setbacks. This year's ceremony marks the first major awards event, with Oscar voting starting January 12, making outcomes potentially influential in a close contest.
In film, "Sinners," a vampire-themed epic, tops nominations but is projected to secure six awards, including original screenplay for Coogler. Meanwhile, "One Battle After Another" is tipped to win best picture, best director for Anderson, and adapted screenplay. The acting categories promise variety: Timothée Chalamet in "Marty Supreme" for best actor, Jessie Buckley in "Hamnet" for best actress, Benicio del Toro in "One Battle After Another" for supporting actor, and Amy Madigan in "Weapons" for supporting actress.
Alternatives add unpredictability, such as Leonardo DiCaprio in "One Battle After Another" for actor or Ariana Grande in "Wicked: For Good" for supporting actress. Other categories include "KPop Demon Hunters" for best animated feature and "Sinners" for cinematography and score.
On television, predictions favor "The Pitt" for best drama series, with Noah Wyle in the lead role, and "The Studio" for best comedy, starring Seth Rogen. Limited series nods go to "Adolescence," featuring Stephen Graham.
This setup suggests a fragmented night rather than dominance by one title, underscoring diverse critical acclaim.
