The 46th annual London Critics’ Circle Film Awards nominations have arrived, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive ceremonies in recent memory. Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller One Battle After Another leads with nine nominations, while Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean adaptation Hamnet follows closely with eight. Ryan Coogler’s deep-South horror Sinners secured seven nods, proving that 2026 is the year of bold, diverse storytelling.
With 207 voting members from Britain’s leading film critics spanning print, digital, broadcast, and social media, these nominations carry serious weight in the awards season conversation. The ceremony, scheduled for February 1, 2026, at The May Fair Hotel in London, will be hosted by renowned critic Mark Kermode.
Table of Contents
Top Nominees: The Films Dominating the Conversation
| Film | Nominations | Director | Key Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Battle After Another | 9 | Paul Thomas Anderson | Film, Director, Actor (DiCaprio), 3 Supporting |
| Hamnet | 8 | Chloé Zhao | Film, Actress (Buckley), British/Irish Film |
| Sinners | 7 | Ryan Coogler | Film, Director, Supporting Actor, Music |
| Marty Supreme | 6 | Josh Safdie | Film, Actor (Chalamet), Casting |
| Sorry, Baby | 5 | Eva Victor | Film, Actress (Victor), Screenwriter |
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” Takes Center Stage
Anderson’s action-political satire dominated across categories, earning recognition for Film of the Year, Director and Screenwriter of the Year. Leonardo DiCaprio received an Actor of the Year nomination, while the supporting cast garnered three nominations: Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Teyana Taylor.
The film also earned Chase Infiniti a Breakthrough Performer nomination and Andy Jurgensen recognition for Technical Achievement in editing. This strong showing mirrors its recent Golden Globes haul, positioning One Battle After Another as a potential frontrunner heading into Oscar season.
For more coverage on this year’s awards contenders and film analysis, check out our comprehensive entertainment section at Technosports.
Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” Brings Shakespeare to Awards Season
Not far behind is Zhao’s ambitious literary adaptation, which secured eight nominations. Jessie Buckley earned an Actress of the Year nomination for Hamnet, competing against Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Renate Reinsve, and Eva Victor.
Hamnet also dominates the British/Irish Film of the Year category, where it faces competition from The Ballad of Wallis Island, Bugonia, I Swear, and Pillion. Both Noah Jupe and Jacobi Jupe earned Young British/Irish Performer nominations, making this a family affair for the talented brothers.
Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” Proves Horror Can Compete
Coogler’s deep-South horror Sinners was nominated in seven categories, including Film of the Year. The vampire thriller earned Ludwig Göransson a Technical Achievement nomination for his score, while Delroy Lindo received a Supporting Actor nomination alongside Wunmi Mosaku’s Supporting Actress nod.
The inclusion of Sinners alongside prestige dramas demonstrates the London Critics’ appreciation for bold storytelling across all genres—something that sets them apart from more traditional awards bodies.
The Major Acting Categories: A Star-Studded Lineup
Actor of the Year
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
- Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
- Josh O’Connor (The Mastermind)
Actress of the Year
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
- Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love)
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
- Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby)
Supporting Actor of the Year
- Benicio del Toro (One Battle After Another)
- Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
- Delroy Lindo (Sinners)
- Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
- Alexander Skarsgård (Pillion)
Supporting Actress of the Year
- Odessa A’zion (Marty Supreme)
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)
- Amy Madigan (Weapons)
- Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
- Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
Eva Victor’s Remarkable Breakthrough
One of the most exciting stories in these nominations is Eva Victor’s quadruple recognition for Sorry, Baby. The first-time writer-director-star earned nominations for Film of the Year, Actress of the Year, Screenwriter of the Year, and Breakthrough Performer of the Year—a remarkable achievement that signals the Critics’ Circle’s commitment to celebrating fresh voices.
Celebrating British and Irish Cinema
The British/Irish categories showcase homegrown talent:
British/Irish Film of the Year:
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bugonia
- Hamnet
- I Swear
- Pillion
British/Irish Performer of the Year (for body of work):
- Naomi Ackie (Sorry, Baby/Mickey 17/The Thursday Murder Club)
- Robert Aramayo (I Swear/Palestine 36)
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- David Jonsson (Wasteman/The Long Walk)
- Josh O’Connor (The Mastermind/The History of Sound/Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery)
Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker:
- Tom Basden & Tim Key (The Ballad of Wallis Island)
- Laura Carreira (On Falling)
- Akinola Davies Jr. (My Father’s Shadow)
- Harris Dickinson (Urchin)
- Harry Lighton (Pillion)
Beyond the Mainstream: Documentary, Animation, and Foreign Language
The Critics’ Circle recognizes excellence across all formats:
Documentary of the Year:
- Cover-Up
- One to One: John & Yoko
- Orwell: 2+2=5
- The Perfect Neighbor
- Riefenstahl
Animated Feature of the Year:
- Arco
- Elio
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
- Zootopia 2
Foreign Language Film of the Year:
- It Was Just an Accident
- No Other Choice
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sirāt
Notably, both Sentimental Value and Sirāt earned nominations in both Foreign Language Film and Film of the Year—a rare achievement showing how international cinema continues breaking through traditional barriers.
Technical Excellence: Behind-the-Scenes Recognition
The Technical Achievement Award highlights the craft that brings these stories to life:
- Die My Love – Editing (Toni Froschhamer)
- The Ice Tower – Production Design (Julia Irribarria)
- Marty Supreme – Casting (Jennifer Venditti)
- The Mastermind – Music (Rob Mazurek)
- One Battle After Another – Editing (Andy Jurgensen)
- Sinners – Music (Ludwig Göransson)
- Sirāt – Sound Design (Laia Casanovas)
- Sound of Falling – Costume Design (Sabrina Krämer)
- Train Dreams – Cinematography (Adolpho Veloso)
- Weapons – Makeup and Hairstyling (Leo Satkovich, Melizah Wheat, Jason Collins)
Want to dive deeper into the craft of filmmaking and stay updated on industry trends? Visit Technosports for exclusive interviews, technical breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes coverage.
What This Means for Awards Season
Jane Crowther, London Critics’ Circle film section chair, emphasized that the nominated films are “teeming with human life, creativity and unique perspectives” at a time when artificial intelligence and homogeneity dominate industry conversations.
The London Critics’ Circle historically influences BAFTA nominations, and when London, BAFTA, and the Oscars align, they’ve produced winners like The Artist (2011), 12 Years a Slave (2013), and Nomadland (2020). However, consensus has been rare in recent years.
The diversity of this year’s nominations—spanning political thrillers, Shakespearean adaptations, horror films, and sports comedies—suggests 2026 could be a year without a clear frontrunner. That unpredictability makes for a more exciting race, both for critics and audiences.
Additional Notable Films
Several other films earned multiple nominations:
- The Mastermind (Kelly Reichardt) – 4 nominations
- Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier) – 4 nominations
- Sirāt (Óliver Laxe) – 4 nominations
- Weapons (Zach Cregger) – 3 nominations
- Train Dreams (Clint Bentley) – 2 nominations
These selections demonstrate the Critics’ Circle’s commitment to championing distinctive voices and quality filmmaking that might otherwise be overlooked in mainstream awards conversations.
The Legacy of the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards
Established in 1980, the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards represent one of the UK’s most prestigious film honors. The Critics’ Circle itself was founded in 1913 as an association for working British critics, with film critics first becoming eligible for membership in 1926.
Today, the Film section boasts over 180 members from publications, broadcast media, and internet outlets throughout the United Kingdom. To qualify for membership, critics must have worked professionally—writing informed analytical features or broadcasting programs about film—for at least two years while earning income from reviewing and writing about cinema.
This rigorous membership standard ensures that the awards truly represent the collective voice of Britain’s most experienced and knowledgeable film critics.
How to Follow the Awards
The winners will be announced on February 1, 2026, at The May Fair Hotel in London, with Mark Kermode hosting the ceremony for another year. While the event itself is a private industry gathering, results are announced promptly through official channels and covered extensively by entertainment media worldwide.
For cinephiles tracking awards season, the London Critics’ Circle often serves as an important predictor—not because they always align with the Oscars, but because they frequently recognize quality filmmaking that might otherwise be overlooked. Their willingness to champion genre films, international cinema, and breakthrough talent makes them essential viewing.
Stay ahead of all the major awards announcements and film industry news by bookmarking Technosports—your destination for entertainment coverage, exclusive analysis, and insider insights you won’t find anywhere else.
FAQs
Q: How much influence do the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards have on Oscar predictions?
A: While not as directly predictive as the Screen Actors Guild or Producers Guild Awards, the London Critics’ Circle has occasionally aligned with both BAFTA and Oscar winners on major films. Their real value lies in spotlighting diverse, quality filmmaking across genres and budgets that might not follow traditional awards season narratives. They often champion international films, genre pictures, and breakthrough talent before other major awards bodies take notice. Films that win here tend to gain momentum heading into BAFTA season, which can influence Oscar voting given the overlap between BAFTA and Academy membership.
Q: Why are there so many British/Irish specific categories at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards?
A: The Critics’ Circle is fundamentally a British organization representing UK film critics, so celebrating homegrown talent is central to their mission. In 2007, the awards expanded to include Irish filmmakers, actors, and crew in recognition of Ireland’s significant contributions to cinema and the cultural connections between the two nations. These categories—including British/Irish Film of the Year (The Attenborough Award), Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker (The Philip French Award), and British/Irish Performer of the Year—ensure that local talent receives recognition alongside international films. This dual focus allows the awards to celebrate both global cinema and support the domestic film industry that British critics cover year-round.
