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Chelsea Handler Roasts Leonardo DiCaprio Over Yacht Getaway in Monologue at Critics Choice Awards
And now for your peek behind the curtain at the Critics Choice Awards 2026.
When the many stars in attendance—from officially official Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner to Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan and Ariana Grande—weren't on screen courtesy of E! and USA, they were busy chatting, hugging and snapping photos amongst themselves, resulting in a variety of moments you didn't see on TV.
As host Chelsea Handler noted in her opening monologue: This ceremony at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., was only the beginning of awards season, so these celebs will keep running into each other.
"So whoever wins tonight," the comedian quipped, "get used to seeing them win." (Speaking of which, see all the winners from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.)
But as is the case with such red carpet extravaganzas, there are always more nominees than there are winners in every audience, so these Hollywood pros know how to make a night of it, whether they're bringing home a shiny new statue or not.
Or multiple statues, as was the case for The Studio's Seth Rogen, who scooped up the win for Best Comedy Series as a producer and Best Actor in a Comedy Series, while Ike Barinholtz finally got to thank Sal Saperstein for his Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series win.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Hacks star Jean Smart's Best Actress in a Comedy Seriers reign continued, and she was joined in the winners' circle by Best Supporting Actress Janelle James of Abbott Elementary.
Also shining on the TV/streaming side of the entertainment coin were Best Drama Series The Pitt, whose stars Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa added to their Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress trophy haul. Meanwhile, there was Best Actress in a Drama Series justice for Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus being the Vince Gilligan show she was finally recognized for, and Severance's Tramell Tillman was once again named Best Supporting Actor.
The evening's major winners from the big screen included One Battle After Another—which perhaps in a harbinger of the Golden Globes and Oscar nights to come notched Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson and Best Picture. Also upping his chances are Chalamet, who went all in on table tennis training (and could teach a master class in press tours) and came away with a Best Actor win for Marty Supreme. Plus, we can compare Hamnet's Jessie Buckley to a summer's day and consider her an Academy Award frontrunner after her Best Actress win.
Moreover, Amy Madigan didn't have to cast any spells to fully entrance the critics with her Best Supporting Actress turn in Weapons, while Jacob Elordi swooped in with a surprise Best Supporting Actor win for Frankenstein. (Or, really, the 6-foot-6 star lumbered.)
All of which made for a lot to celebrate—or commiserate about. Check out the most surprising moments that you didn't see on TV:
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner
Oh, there she is. Kylie Jenner, aka Timothée Chalamet's "partner of three years"—his words, used for the first time ever in public, when he won Best Actor for Marty Supreme—skipped the red carpet, but obviously joined him for the main event.
He couldn't have done it without her, after all. (Again, his words!)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Ike Barinholtz
The Studio's Ike Barinholtz made sure to capture one of many winning moments for him, the show and producer-star Seth Rogen for posterity.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Amy Madigan
First Amy Madigan became an unwitting icon as Weapons villain Gladys, then she won Best Supporting Actress—and then she found food backstage.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Owen Cooper and Jacob Elordi
The Adolescence and Frankenstein stars, congratulating each other here for their respectively haunting performances, were both winners for playing maladjusted, misunderstood creatures who could have benefited from better guidance.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin and Kryis Marshall
The stars of Paradise and The Gilded Age shed the trappings of the apocalypse and a rigid class structure to enjoy a glamorous night out.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Teyana Taylor and Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum got to meet the wizard for a change.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Michelle Randolph, Owen Cooper and Ali Larter
When the man of the hour meets the stars of Landman.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Chase Infiniti, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro
The One Battle After Another stars are embarking on one awards show after another, so best they stay hydrated.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Britt Lower and Tramell Tillman
The Severance costars never forget just how much fun they have at work.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Ariana Grande and Noah Wyle
Well, someone's night was changed for good. And we don't even mean because Noah Wyle won Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Patrick Ball, Shawn Hatosy and Noah Wyle
The stars of The Pitt look so much less stressed when they're not wearing scrubs.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Sunrise Coigney, Alicia Silverstone and Mark Ruffalo
If her task was to meet up with Mark Ruffalo and his wife, fellow activist/environmentalist Alicia Silverstone can consider her mission accomplished.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Jacobi Jupe and Paul Mescal
We do prefer our Shakespeares smiling.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Miles Caton and Noah Schnapp
Noah Schnapp has been to the Upside Down (i.e. been famous since he was a little kid). So the Strangers Thing star may have some valuable advice for Miles Caton, who was named Best Young Actor for his breakout performance in Sinners.
Watch the Critics Choice Awards 2026 live Sunday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. on E! and USA Network.
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