The 2nd Critics' Choice Movie Awards were given on 20 January 1997 to honor the finest achievements in 1996 filmmaking.

Best Picture - Fargo

Best Actor: Geoffrey Rush - Shine

Best Actress: Frances McDormand - Fargo

Best Supporting Actor: Cuba Gooding Jr. - Jerry Maguire

Best Supporting Actress: Joan Allen - The Crucible

Best Director: Anthony Minghella - The English Patient

Best Screenplay: Anthony Minghella - The English Patient

Best Child Performance: Jonathan Lipnicki, Jerry Maguire

Best Documentary: When We Were Kings

Best Foreign Language Film: Ridicule

Breakout Artist of the Year: Renee Zellweger, Jerry Maguire

Lifetime Achievement Award, 1996: Lauren Bacall