The 2026 Critics Choice Awards have come and gone, and amid all the major fashion and major wins, certain standout moments seemed destined to live on forever (in our hearts and in Instagram meme format, at least).
From host Chelsea Handler’s touching tribute to Rob Reiner and Jimmy Kimmel reference to his 2025 suspension to lighter fare, like Timothée Chalamet’s rare public shoutout to girlfriend Kylie Jenner, here are all of the best moments from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
Chelsea Handler’s opening monologue
Photo: Getty Images
At this point, I’m used to white-knuckling my way through comedian hosts’ monologues (not naming any names, and not to punch down at people Handler may or may not have dated, but… looking at you, Jo Koy). Sunday’s ceremony however, was pretty expertly emceed by four-time host Chelsea Handler. Handler obviously knows how to land a joke, but she managed to find the award-show sweet spot, making fun of David Zaslav and Adam Sandler with equal panache. My contender for best joke of the night? Handler saying, “I haven’t been invited to a Black person’s house since Sinners… The only person who has invited me is Nicki Minaj, but who wants to go over there?”
