Critics Choice Awards 2024 WINNERS: Barbie's Margot Robbie accepts Best Comedy after Chelsea Handler DEMANDS on-air moment... as Paul Giamatti lands shock win over Cillian Murphy while Emma Stone, Oppenheimer and Succession triumph

Barbie's Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig accepted Best Comedy after host Chelsea Handler demanded on-air moment at the Critics Choice Awards while Paul Giamatti landed a shock win over Cillian Murphy on a night where Emma Stone, Oppenheimer, and Succession all triumphed.

Blockbuster film Barbie - which earned $1.4billion in the worldwide box office last year - won the top honor when it comes to comedy films but it was not scheduled to appear on the broadcast and instead was announced during a vignette before breaking off into commercial.

Chelsea, 48, did not stand for the film not being recognized during the televised portion as she went rogue after a return from break at the event held at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California which featured a star-studded red carpet.

The host announced: 'Earlier tonight Barbie was awarded best comedy. I'll go rogue because Greta and Margot deserve to make a speech. Would you mind coming up and accepting the award for Best Comedy.'

Margot, 33, and 40-year-old filmmaker Greta quickly got up and walked up to the stage to accept the crowning achievement with impromptu speeches at the event which honors the finest achievements in both filmmaking and television programming over the year of 2023.

The Wolf Of Wall Street actress said: 'Thank you. Thank you, Chelsea. We love you so much. You know, when everyone is like oh, this is so unexpected. This is actually unexpected and not apart of the show. We are very grateful and I'd like Greta to talk.'

The film beat out American Fiction, Bottoms, The Holdovers, No Hard Feelings, and Poor Things.

Greta later took to the mic to give a heartfelt speech as the filmmaker said: 'Thank you for letting this happen. We were excited in our chairs and nice to be up here. Thank you to everyone that helped make the movie. I laughed during most takes. Because of our beautiful cast Margot and Ryan and America. 

'Thank you to Mattel for letting us take their beloved icon and make something so unhinged. Thank you to Warner brother's for standing behind us every step of the way and thank you to to Noah because we wanted to make everyone laugh and we made the world laugh too.'

The synopsis of the film was: 'Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.' 

Perhaps the most shocking moment of the night came when Paul Giamatti beat out favorite Cillian Murphy in the Best Actor category.

Paul, 56, was up for the award for The Holdovers while Cillian, 47, was nominated for blockbuster Oppenheimer as they were up against Bradley Cooper - Maestro, Leonardo DiCaprio - Killers of the Flower Moon, Colman Domingo - Rustin, and Jeffrey Wright - American Fiction.

The veteran actor began his acceptance speech by poking fun at the viral moment last week of him eating at California fast food joint In-N-Out with his Golden Globe award in full tuxedo.

He said: 'Oh, my gosh. Wow, guys. I didn't think my week could get any better than going viral for eating a cheeseburger. I'm serious guys. I need that endorsement. Let's pray for me. Thank you. 

'Did everybody get their pizza in a bag by the way? I think that would be a good endorsement Paul Giamatti for pizza in a bag. This is cordry.'

He went on to praise The Critics Choice Association (CCA) and even thanked them for helping them get word of the film out there.

Paul continued: 'You guys are the toughest crowd for critics. You are tough and that's your job to be tough. It's a good thing thinking and talking about and discussing and loving movies. You guys love movies and that's what is great. [ Applause ] Thank you. It's really nice how much you have loved this movie because I love this movie. 

'I think it's wonderful. It's a good story about people connecting in divisive times. Thank you for helping to get it out to audiences. It's wonderful. Thank you.'

He finished off his touching speech by thanking the director of the film along with his representatives before concluding with a sweet message about his family.

Paul concluded: 'I'd like to thank Alexander Payne. David for writing it. I couldn't image more wonderful people to spend all of this time with. Thank you to my agent Billy. Perry my manager. My publicist. 

'I'd like to say thank you to my son. He rolls his eyes every time I do this. I know at home I can hear him doing this. I'd like to thank him any way and my girlfriend Clara. I'd like to think about my father that never saw me act professionally, if that's what I do. He was a critic. He was a literary critic and so, you couldn't get away with anything but good work for him. This will make him really happy and that's what makes me really happy so thank you.'

In the film The Holdovers he portrays a cranky history teacher at a remote prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go. 

Meanwhile Emma Stone was also one of the biggest winners of the night as she earned Best Actress for Poor Things.

The 35-year-old actress - who also triumphed at the Golden Globe Awards last week - was in disbelief as she won over a very stacked category which included the likes of Lily Gladstone - Killers Of The Flower Moon, Sandra Hüller - Anatomy of a Fall, Greta Lee - Past Lives, Carey Mulligan - Maestro, Margot Robbie - Barbie.

She recognized each of her competitors individually during the beginning of her acceptance speech as she said: 'Um, I'll be honest. I'm in full blown I didn't have anything that I was going to say because this is completely crazy. This category is ridiculous. Lily, I mean, come on. Margot. What in the Carey. Okay. Greta and Sandra Huller. This doesn't make any sense. 

'Thank you so much for this. It means to such. I was being serious. I don't know what to say. This table here is poor things table. This crew, this cast, mark, Chris, Katherine hunter, Hannah. There are so many unbelievable people I was lucky enough to work with and searchlight and Ed and Tony. That's how we are supposed to say it to a Greek man if we are speaking to them. I love you. Thank you for everything. This is, uh, really wild.'

In Poor Things she portrays Bella Baxter/Victoria Blessington who is a woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist, Dr. Godwin Baxter (played by Willem Dafoe).

She gushed about portraying the character as she concluded her speech saying: 'Playing Bella was one of the greatest joys. I got to unlearn some of the things. The shame and societal stuff that's put-on us. I'm state working on it. This is the critics choice award and it is about outside opinion. 

'I'm very grateful to the critics for this. I'm learning not to care what you think. Thank you so much. It means a lot. Thank you.'

Despite Cillian Murphy not winning, Oppenheimer had a massive night as it earned top honor Best Picture and earned the most award of the night with five including Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Ensemble.

The night culminated with the blockbuster film beating out heavy competition including: American Fiction, Barbie, The Color Purple, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Saltburn.

Producer Emma Thomas addressed the audience as her acceptance speech began:  'Thank you. Thank you very much for to the critics choice association. Come on. Come on. Thank you very much. Our films usually start pretty small. It's kind of a family business. Oftentimes it's cone conversations around the table with our kids. There are four of them so I wouldn't name them all. 

'We bring people on and it expands to our casting director. He's the architect of this incredible group and it's bigger and bigger and then we are here with our film family. Some of the people we worked on the film are people we worked with before. These are new friends and family and I couldn't be more grateful for the work. 

'Knowing all of these brilliant people, again, I wouldn't name them. I'll forget somebody and everybody needs to be recognized here. Of course, Universal, thank you so much. There is a magician sitting over there Michael Moses, who somehow managed to create the worldwide phenomenon this film became. We are gracious to you and your team. Sometimes we love what you say and sometimes we don't. It means a great deal to us so thank you.'

Oppenheimer is the story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. 

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan also won Best Director for the film besting Bradley Cooper - Maestro, Greta Gerwig - Barbie, Yorgos Lanthimos - Poor Things, Alexander Payne - The Holdovers, and Martin Scorsese, - Killers Of The Flower Moon.

During his acceptance speech he said: 'Thank you. Thank you very much. This is a tremendous honor. I'd like to thank the critics circle and all critics that help with conferencing mainstream media about physics could be worth their time. I am very grateful to my crew here tonight. Thank you. 

'An unbelievable cast lead by Cillian Murphy. I'd like to thank those who put the book in front of me. I'd like to thank Emma Thomas not just being the love of my life but the greatest producer working today so thank you.'

Earlier in the night Robert Downey Jr. won Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film.

Downey Jr., 51, was recognized for his work in Oppenheimer and beat out heavy competition including: Sterling K. Brown - American Fiction, Robert De Niro - Killers Of The Flower Moon, Ryan Gosling - Barbie, Charles Melton - May December, and Mark Ruffalo - Poor Things.

The veteran actor utilized his signature charm during his acceptance speech as he said:  'I was thinking this morning, I love critics. It's all I think about -- Critics Choice Association. 

'They give me such beautiful feedback, really. Just so many great moments and some of it so poet I can. --Poetic.'

The star then went on to read some of the harsh published feedback he has received over the years.

He said: 'I want to share some of their thoughts with you over the years. First one is kind of like hi coo. Sloppy, messy and lazy. Next one metaphoric, like pee wee Herman emerging from a coma. 

'This one from a Brit, a puzzling waste of talent. And lastly in this one, lingered, amusing as a bed lock fart.

 In Oppenheimer Downey Jr portrays as Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss, a retired Naval officer and high-ranking member of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

On the television side Succession was the biggest winner of the night as the highly-popular series earned the top honor Best Drama Series.

The drama triumphed over The Crown (Netflix), The Diplomat (Netflix), The Last Of Us (HBO | Max), Loki (Disney+), The Morning Show (Apple TV+), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+), and Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO | Max).

Executive producer and writer Jesse Armstrong accepted the honor as he said: 'We want to say thanks to HBO for their support. Casey and Nora in particular this is the best night I ever had in an aircraft hanger. Thank you very much indeed.'

The series is centered around the Roy family who is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father Logan Roy steps down from the company leading to a chain reaction of events, power struggles, and drama ultimately culminating in the death of the patriarch and wonder who is going to take over.

Succession siblings Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin may not have succeeded their onscreen father Logan Roy but they did each get their coronation at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night.

The 36-year-old Australian actress and  41-year-old American actor won Best Actress and Actor in a Drama Series for their highly popular HBO series.

Sarah beat out stiff competition including Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show (Apple TV+), Aunjanue Ellis – Justified: City Primeval (FX), Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us (HBO | Max), Keri Russell – The Diplomat (Netflix), and Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show (Apple TV+).

During her speech she thanked both her onscreen sibling Kieran as well as onscreen husband played by Matthew Macfadyen and her real-life husband Dave Lawson.

She said:  'Hi. Thank you. Thank you to the critics, wow. This job was extraordinary and exciting to go into work everyday and play dress up for a living. What a silly thrill that is. 

'I just wanted to say thank you to Matthew and Kieran. You are the best because of it. Matthew you are gracious and wonderful and lovely. Thank you for being my fake husband and to I many real husband thank you for being in a supporting role. You have the joy of my life. Thank you.'

Her character is Siobhan 'Shiv' Roy who is Logan's youngest child and only daughter. A left-leaning political fixer, she worked for a time for presidential candidate Gil Eavis, whose political views clash with Waystar. She eventually leaves politics to focus on building a future at Waystar. 

Meanwhile Kieran won over Tom Hiddleston – Loki (Disney+), Timothy Olyphant – Justified: City Primeval (FX), Pedro Pascal – The Last of Us (HBO | Max), Ramón Rodríguez – Will Trent (ABC), and Jeremy Strong – Succession (HBO | Max).

He brought his signature quirkiness to the stage as he began his signature speech by poking fun at his castmate Nicolas Braun as he said: 'Um, hello Nicholas. I'm a lit bit thrown, actually. I had stuff I prepared to say but I have this hair that grows on the side of my ear. 

'It's on the side ear and my wife surprises me by plucking it and Sarah snook discovered it and pulls it too. She said it's back. I was feeling it and thought it was on this side. My wife was, no, no, no it's there. They both started taking turns plucking my hair and it was painful and now I'm talking about it instead of saying what I prepared to say which is gone now. I'm probably out of time.'

He then went into a more serious portion of his acceptance speech. 

He said: 'There are too many people to thank. There is a group I'd like to thank because they will never appreciated and that's the camera department. In particular the camera operators. They film the thing, you know. It's really crucial. It was through them. I'd like to give a thanks to Greg, Allen, Francis, Rachel. 

'If I forgot someone, sorry. You are lovely. Stop looking at me Nick. My mom, my wife, I love you so much. You are the reason I'm me and our kids. I love you. Bye.'

Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri lead The Bear to a massive night at the Critics Choice Awards.

The 32-year-old actor and 28-year-old actress led the highly-popular FX series to massive wins in the Best Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series categories, respectively.

Jeremy beat out Bill Hader – Barry (HBO | Max), Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), Kayvan Novak – What We Do in the Shadows (FX), Drew Tarver – The Other Two (HBO | Max), and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs (FX).

During his acceptance speech he said: 'Um, Jesus. Thank you. Thank you to the critics choice association. This is an honor. We made this show with no expectations. We weren't in space. We didn't wear capes. We made sandwiches and, um, the show is good because you are also good.

'Congratulations Ayo. Congratulations I love my cast so much. I love my crew so Thank you Chris, thank you Joanne. Thank you to my parents for making me think this was something that was possible for me. Thank you louie and izzie. I'll love you forever. Thank you guys.'

Jeremy portrays Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto as a young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop only to turn it into a fine dining restaurant on a quest for a Michelin star.

Meanwhile Ayo triumphed over Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video),  Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC), Bridget Everett – Somebody Somewhere (HBO | Max), Devery Jacobs – Reservation Dogs (FX), and Natasha Lyonne – Poker Face (Peacock).

Da'Vine Joy Randolph kept her winning ways after the the 37-year-old actress earned Best Supporting Actress after winning in a similar category at last week's Golden Globe Awards. 

She won for The Holdovers as she triumphed over Emily Blunt - Oppenheimer, Danielle Brooks - The Color Purple, America Ferrera - Barbie, Jodie Foster - Nyad, and Julianne Moore - May December.

During her acceptance speech she said: 'Oh my gosh. Thank you to critics choice association for this honor to my entire family, Alexander, Paul and Dominic. Thank you for caring for me and championing me. To my fellow nominees you worked continuously to push the bounds what it is in this medium. I'm so honored to be considered among you. 

'To play a woman that is so many things to see themselves as a gift. I want to thank the incredible women of my life who have made me the artist that I am today. I thank my mother, for teaching me that hard work and tenacity pays off. My aunt Shirley who taught me how to be fabulous. My aunt for teaching me how to tell the perfect coach. Special thanks to the women in the industry who have fiercely supported me. Thank you so much. '

In the film she portrays Mary Lamb who is the head cook at Barton Academy boarding school and is a bereaved mother. 

Beef dominated the limited series and movie categories as two of the main stars - Ali Wong and Steven Yeun - were recognized for their work in the lead actress and actor categories respectively.

Ali, 41, triumphed in the Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television honor over Kaitlyn Dever – No One Will Save You (Hulu), Brie Larson – Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+), Bel Powley – A Small Light (National Geographic), Sydney Sweeney – Reality (HBO | Max), and Juno Temple – Fargo (FX).

Ali kept her speech short and sweet as she thanked cast and crew before concluding: 'All the other people who helped make this special and original, intense show. Thank you so much.'

The highly-popular Netflix series was centered around Ali and Steven's characters who let a road rage incident burrow into their minds and slowly consume their every thought and action.

Meanwhile Steven, 40, won in the Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television category beating out Matt Bomer – Fellow Travelers (Showtime), Tom Holland – The Crowded Room (Apple TV+), David Oyelowo – Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Paramount+), Tony Shalhoub – Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie (Peacock), and Kiefer Sutherland – The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Showtime).

Meanwhile before the televised award show, the stars kicked off the red carpet in style on Sunday afternoon for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.

Margot Robbie and Emily Blunt both looked incredible in red, with Margot channeling red hot Barbie glamour in an off-the-shoulder custom Balmain gown featuring rosettes along the neckline while Emily opted for sequin one-shoulder version by Giorgio Armani Prive.

Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon chose classic black looks, with Jennifer in a strapless jumpsuit with a statement belt and Reese in a bow-accented gown.

Margot channeled red hot Barbie glamour in a custom Balmain gown.

The gorgeous skintight gown had ruching along her torso, with rosettes lining the off-the-shoulder neckline; the mermaid-style number showcased the star's slim waist. 

The Barbie star wore diamond earrings by Lorraine Schwartz with her hair partially pulled back, center parted and in slight waves. 

She posed with her husband, producer Tom Ackerley, who looked sharp in a pinstripe suit and white button-up shirt. 

Jennifer cut a sleek figure in a strapless black jumpsuit with a textured neckline; the number had a statement belt that elegantly cascaded to the floor.

The Morning Show star wore pointed black boots, delicate diamond jewelry by De Beers and her shoulder-length hair touseled in waves. 

Emily looked beautiful in a Giorgio Armani Prive red sequin frock, which had rosettes along one shoulder.

The British-born beauty's one-shoulder number had sequins throughout as well as subtle stripes. 

The actress sported Tiffany & Co. jewelry. 

Emily arrived with husband John Krasinski, one week after their viral red carpet appearance at the Golden Globes red carpet; social media sleuths tried to decipher what John said to his wife on the red carpet, with some believing he told her: 'I can't wait for a divorce.' 

Reese looked lovely in strapless black gown with a large bow detail along the waist; she is wearing Celine by Hedi Slimane.

The Morning Show star paired it with diamond drop earrings, bangle and ring - all by Tiffany & Co Jewelry.

Reese, 47, brought her daughter Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, 24, with her to the awards show. 

Ava wore a pearl accented black mini Monique Lhuillier dress, paired with tights and Christian Louboutin heels.

Dua Lipa, 28, looked ravishing in a burgundy three-dimensional Prada gown, which perfectly complimented her crimson dyed tresses.

Dua's gown featured three-dimensional fabric set in wave-like patterns for a statement look at this year's awards ceremony.

She added Tiffany & Co. jewels, including Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany earrings consisting of 18K yellow and platinum with rubellites of over 13 total carats and diamonds and Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany stitches ring in gold and platinum with diamonds ring. 

The Critics Choice Awards are bestowed annually to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. 

Historically, they are the most accurate predictor of Academy Award nominations. 

The 29th annual Critics Choice Awards show will be executive-produced by Bob Bain Productions and Berlin Entertainment. 

The Critics Choice Awards are represented by Dan Black at Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

The Critics Choice Association is the largest critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 600 media critics and entertainment journalists. 

It was established in 2019 with the formal merger of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, recognizing the intersection between film, television, and streaming content.