Some 2026 Critics Choice Awards viewers were outraged when several categories weren't announced on stage and winners didn't make a speech
Awards season started off with a bang — but some fans weren’t too happy about what went down at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. “The Critics Choice Awards, they really have so many categories and we have so little time,” red carpet reporter Keltie Knight told the crowd on Sunday, January 4.
“Throughout the night we’re going to be revealing other winners.” During several moments within the show, five winners would be announced at once with no one taking the stage to accept the award. Several viewers were upset that the Best Foreign Language Film, Best Foreign Language Series and Best Original Screenplay winners, specifically, weren’t given their moment on stage. Knight, 43, presented The Secret Agent's director Kleber Mendonça Filho and producer Emilie Lesclaux their Best Foreign Film while they were walking last night’s red carpet, before the show even started. “I have a very special surprise for you. Congratulations, the Critics Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Film goes to The Secret Agent,” she said. “You're winners tonight baby!” After the award was handed out, the broadcast cut to commercial. The clip, which was posted via X, garnered some major backlash. “I absolutely hateeee that E! is randomly announcing ‘lesser’ Critics' Choice Award categories live on the red carpet, which is confusing every single winner because they think it's a bit,” one social media user wrote. Another noted that it was “a blunder” not to announce Filho’s category on the main stage, especially since he announced the Best Picture winner later on in the show. Filho did, however, take a shot at an acceptance speech before presenting One Battle After Another with their award later on in the evening. “Some great international films here tonight. I'd like to say thank you to the Critics' Choice for the prize that we got tonight for The Secret Agent,” the director said. “And also honor all the other films that we respect and love so much on this list.” The award for Best Foreign Language Series went to Squid Game during the broadcast, but it was also given out off camera. “If only we could’ve seen them on stage accepting the award!” one X user stated when the winner was announced. Another social media user said that the show’s star was there, writing, “Thank you for recognizing them, as they deserved it, but Lee Byung-hun was there and could have accepted the award!” Someone else added: “Why did you not announce it on stage??? Lee byung-hun was there surely he could have accepted the reward and give a speech??” Finally, fans hoped that Sinners director Ryan Coogler would get some form of justice after his Best Original Screenplay win wasn't televised. “Ryan Coogler deserved his moment on stage for Sinners in the Best Screenplay category. It felt disrespectful,” one X user wrote. “To be honest, Best Original Screenplay is just as important as Best Picture, and the ceremony should reflect that.” Sinners did end up winning three other awards, with Miles Caton nabbing a win in the Best Young Actor/Actress category. The film also took home Best Casting and Ensemble and Best Score.
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