Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the winners at the 2026 London Film Critics’ Circle Awards, with four prizes including film of the year.
Anderson himself won two prizes, for director and screenwriter of the year; while Sean Penn picked up supporting actor of the year, for his performance in the film as corrupt military officer Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw.
Scroll down for the full list of winners
Pillion, the debut feature of 2018 Screen Star of Tomorrow Harry Lighton, was the only other film to take multiple awards, with two prizes: British/Irish film of the year and breakthrough British/Irish filmmaker for Lighton.
The top acting awards went to Jessie Buckley – actress of the year for playing Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet; and Timothee Chalamet – actor of the year for playing Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme.
Veteran star Amy Madigan took the supporting actress prize for her role as Gladys in horror Weapons; while Josh O’Connor won the British/Irish performer of the year award, Robert Aramayo took the breakthrough performer prize and 28 Years Later actor Alfie Williams received the young British/Irish performer award.
Honorary awards were presented to Guillermo del Toro – the Dilys Powell award for excellence in film; and Cynthia Erivo – the Derek Malcolm award for innovation.
The ceremony took place on Sunday, February 1 at London’s May Fair Hotel.
The awards were voted for by the 207 members of the Film Section of the Critics’ Circle, the UK’s longest-standing critics organisation. Films were required to have been released or scheduled for release in UK cinemas or on leading streaming services between mid-February 2025 and mid-February 2026.
“The winners of the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards show the passion of our voting membership for fresh intriguing stories, committed performances and exemplary craft,” said Jane Crowther, chair of the Critics’ Circle Film section.
London Film Critics’ Circle 2026 awards
Film of the year – One Battle After Another, dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
Director of the year – Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
Screenwriter of the year – Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
British/Irish film of the year – Pillion, dir. Harry Lighton
Animated film of the year – Kpop Demon Hunters, dirs. Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
Documentary of the year – The Perfect Neighbor, dir. Geeta Gandbhir
Foreign-language film of the year – Sentimental Value, dir. Joachim Trier
Actor of the year – Timothee Chalamet, Marty Supreme
Actress of the year – Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Supporting actor of the year – Sean Penn, One Battle After Another
Supporting actress of the year – Amy Madigan, Weapons
Breakthrough British/Irish filmmaker – Harry Lighton, Pillion
British/Irish performer of the year – Josh O’Connor, The Mastermind/The History Of Sound/Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Breakthrough perfomer of the year – Robert Aramayo, I Swear/Palestine 36
Young British/Irish performer of the year – Alfie Williams, 28 Years Later
Technical achievement award – Ludwig Goransson, music, Sinners
British/Irish short film of the year – Neil Armstrong And The Langholmites, dir. Duncan Cowles
Dilys Powell award for excellence in film – Guillermo del Toro
Derek Malcolm award for innovation – Cynthia Erivo
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