The 2026 awards season launched in spectacular style on Sunday, 4th January, as the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards took over the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The ceremony, hosted for a fourth consecutive year by Chelsea Handler, served as the first major televised event of the season, setting the stage for the Oscars and beyond.
Red Carpet Royalty: British Elegance Steals the Show
Leading the charge for British talent was actress Emilia Jones, who turned heads on the star-studded red carpet. The 23-year-old daughter of Aled Jones commanded attention in a striking black strapless corset crop top, which she paired with a flowing maxi skirt and towering heels. She was joined by fellow Brits Mia Goth, who exuded sophistication in a white off-the-shoulder satin gown, and Erin Doherty, nominated for her role in Netflix's 'Adolescence', who made a dramatic entrance in a bold green satin dress.
Other notable arrivals included Charlie Hunnam, nominated for Best Actor, and young star Jacobi Jupe, 12, who beamed for cameras ahead of his Best Young Actor nomination for 'Hamnet'. The event marked a glamorous return to the spotlight for Hollywood, with nominees like Timothée Chalamet and Emma Stone expected to attend.
Sinners Sets a New Benchmark with 17 Nominations
Inside the ceremony, the narrative was dominated by Ryan Coogler's epic 'Sinners'. The Warner Bros. film scored a staggering 17 nominations, just one shy of the record set by 'Barbie' in 2024. Its nods span the major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director for Coogler, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan.
Hot on its heels was Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' with 14 nominations, while 'Hamnet' and 'Frankenstein' each earned 11. The competition is fierce, particularly in the Best Actor race, which features Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and Joel Edgerton, among others. The Critics Choice Awards have long been a reliable bellwether for Oscar success, making these early wins crucial for momentum.
Television Titans and New Categories Debut
On the television side, the limited series 'Adolescence' led the pack with six nominations, followed by the comedy 'Nobody Wants This' with five. Established favourites like 'Hacks', 'The Diplomat', and 'Severance' returned to the fray, proving their enduring appeal.
This year's ceremony also introduced four new categories: Best Variety Series, Best Casting, Best Stunt Design, and Best Sound, reflecting the evolving landscape of film and television production. The broadcast aired live on the USA Network and E!, the latter marking a homecoming for host Chelsea Handler.
As the first major awards show of 2026, the Critics Choice Awards have successfully set the tone for the months to come. With 'Sinners' establishing itself as the film to beat and British stars shining brightly on the red carpet, the path to the Oscars is now firmly illuminated.
