Steven Soderbergh has insisted the production team didn't assume Chadwick Boseman was going to win Best Actor.
Joaquin Phoenix decided to use his platform to speak about animal rights issues.
Other recipients include Elaine May, Liv Ullmann and Danny Glover.
Andra Day won Best Actress for The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
The Lost Daughter won four out of the five categories in which it was nominated.
Succession led the charge in the TV categories.
Awards shows are being cancelled due to a new surge of coronavirus cases.
On Wednesday, the Critics Choice Association released a statement indicting that the in-person event will no longer take place on 9 January in Los Angeles.
Rebel Wilson will front the show on 13 March.
Succession was the big winner in the television categories.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Kodi Smit-McPhee won for their performances.
Lady Gaga and Jared Leto landed nominations for Ridley Scott's fashion drama.
Dune was nominated for Best Film alongside Belfast, The Power of the Dog, Don't Look Up, and Licorice Pizza.
Jared Leto, Ben Affleck and Amy Adams also received nominations.
The ACE Eddie Awards recognise outstanding film editing.
The Western received 12 nominations including Best Picture.
Lee Jung-jae, Jung Ho-yeon, and Troy Kotsur made history with their wins.
Maggie Gyllenhaal won Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Emilia Jones will also perform during the ceremony.
Steven Spielberg hopes the decision is reversed but thinks it is unlikely.
Adam McKay and Siân Heder took home the top prizes.
Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic Dune won the most awards overall.
Van Morrison will not attend to perform Down to Joy from Belfast.
Jane Campion rounded off a stellar weekend with two more individual wins at the Critics Choice Awards.
Justice League also won the Oscars Cheer Moment category.
CODA won every award it was nominated for at the Oscars, including Best Picture.
