2026 Critics Choice Awards: Cynthia Erivo and ‘Avatar’ overlooked, 'Weapons' leads unexpected winners

The Critics Choice Awards have revealed their nominees for this year's top film and television honors, generating both predictable nods and surprising exclusions. While several selections align with ongoing discussions in the awards season, certain omissions have sparked debate.

Major Snub: Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo delivered remarkable performances in the two-part adaptation of Jon M. Chu's Wicked, bringing profound humanity to an iconic character. Despite critical acclaim, she received no nomination, marking one of the event's most notable oversights.

Unexpected Winner: Netflix Dominates

Netflix secured an impressive 27 nominations, trailing only behind a major studio announcement. Among these, Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein earned 11 nominations, even with mixed festival reviews, while Rian Johnsons third Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man, was entirely overlooked.

Major Snub: Avatar: Fire and Ash

James Camerons third Avatar film, recently featured in AFIs top 10 of the year, was surprisingly left out. Despite its cinematic impact, the Critics Choice Awards did not recognize the threequel, signaling early pushback against the film.

Surprise Nomination: Weapons for Best Original Screenplay

Zach Creggers chilling and inventive horror story, Weapons, received a nod for Best Original Screenplay. This recognition highlights the quality of writing within the horror genre, a category often overlooked in mainstream awards.

Snub: The Bear

The Bear continues to face exclusion, reflecting ongoing debates about its categorization. After limited recognition last year, the series once considered an awards favorite appears to be losing momentum.

Surprise Nomination: Ego Nwodim

Ego Nwodim earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her work in a comedy series, marking an unusual but welcome recognition. Her nomination bridges the gap between comedy and dramatic acknowledgment.

Snub: Quinta Brunson

Despite Abbott Elementary receiving two nominations for supporting actors, series creator Quinta Brunson was left off the list, making her exclusion one of the most talked-about snubs in television categories.

Surprise: Ghosts

The popular comedy Ghosts, which previously struggled for awards attention, secured four nominations, including Best Comedy Series, demonstrating the Critics Choice Awards willingness to embrace newer favorites.

Snub: Only Murders in the Building

While the series received a Best Comedy Series nomination, none of its actorsincluding Martin Short, Steve Martin, or Selena Gomezwere recognized, leaving fans puzzled by the lack of acting nods.

Author: Aiden Foster