2026 Critics Choice Awards: Cynthia Erivo and ‘Avatar’ among biggest snubs, while ‘Weapons’ leads the surprises
The Critics Choice Awards announced their nominees for the year-end film and television honors, and suffice it to say that choices were made.
In a lot of ways, the top categories reflected the current conversation around this year's awards race, but there were also some notable exceptions that stood out. No Cynthia Erivo? CBS' Ghosts, an awards powerhouse? Where's Quinta?
Here's Gold Derby's full breakdown of the biggest snubs and surprises coming out of the Critics Choice Awards nominations.
Snub: Cynthia Erivo
Erivo turned in two astounding performances across the dual installments of Jon M. Chu's Wicked adaptation, adding a level to up-close humanity to one of the most recognizable film icons of all time. But apparently no good deed really does go unpunished!
Surprise: Netflix cleans up (with one major exception)
The streamer overperformed at the Critics Choice Awards, earning 27 nominations — second only to the studio it announced plans to gobble up this morning. Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, after receiving some lukewarm reviews coming out of the festival circuit, landed an impressive 11 nods, possibly overshadowing the fact that Rian Johnson's third Knives Out movie — the very good Wake Up Dead Man — didn't earn any.
Snub: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Days after its first screenings, James Cameron's third Avatar movie made the AFI's top 10 films of the year list, possibly hinting that if J.C. shoots Na'vi, it's a player for Oscar's Best Picture. But with the Critics Choice, we have our first major refutation of the threequel, which is already dodging some allegations of hitting too many familiar notes from The Way of Water.
Surprise: Weapons in Best Original Screenplay
A welcome addition to the screenplay conversation, Zach Cregger's frighteningly original tale of terror is getting the recognition it deserves as a piece of writing. With Amy Madigan's hot streak in Best Supporting Actress categories continuing, perhaps we'll see the general field open up to what's not just one of the best horror movies of the year.
Snub: The Bear
Category backlash complete? The CCAs were already on their way out with The Bear, going back to last year when they only nominated Liza Colón-Zayas. But with the Emmys and other bodies seemingly taking issue with the show's comedic claims, the former awards darling may be cooked.
Surprise: Ego Nwodim
Far less ambiguous than Ego Nwodim's statements about her departure from Saturday Night Live is her nomination for Best Supporting Actress with the CCAs. The nod is technically for a comedy series, but this really feels like drama!
Snub: Quinta Brunson
The two-time Emmy winner is a three-time Critics Choice nominee, but despite Abbott Elementary picking up two noms (Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Chris Perfetti and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Janelle James), the lead and series creator was left off the list.
Surprise: Ghosts
Despite being one of the most popular comedies on television (It's never been nominated!), Ghosts has struggled to get into contention at the Emmy Awards. But it apparently has no issue with the CCAs, racking up four nominations, including for Best Comedy Series.
Snub: Only Murders, No Actors
Only Murders in the Building earned exactly one nomination, and that was for Best Comedy Series. No Martin Short. No Steve Martin. No Selena Gomez. How? It's a real mystery!
