The 2026 awards season has officially commenced with a spectacular display of Hollywood glamour at the 31st Critics Choice Awards. Held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, 4th January, the ceremony served as the first major televised event of the year, setting the stage for the Oscars and beyond. Hosted for the fourth consecutive year by comedian Chelsea Handler, the night celebrated the finest achievements in film and television, with Ryan Coogler's Sinners leading the charge with a staggering 17 nominations.
Red Carpet Fashion: A Showcase of Elegance and Style
The red carpet was a parade of serious star power, with A-listers showcasing an array of breathtaking looks. Host Chelsea Handler, 50, made a striking entrance in a dark off-shoulder emerald gown, accessorised with a delicate diamond necklace and matching bracelets. Her platinum blonde hair was styled sleek and straight, completing a polished look.
Other early arrivals turned heads with their sartorial choices. Mia Goth, 32, star of Frankenstein, captivated in a bridal-inspired white off-the-shoulder gown, her dark hair swept into an elegant updo. Succession's Justine Lupe opted for a light mint gown with a pleated skirt, while Odessa A'zion, 25, made a sparkling statement in a silver dress with dramatic billowing sleeves.
The carpet also featured touching and bold moments. Nicole Brydon Bloom, 31, proudly showcased her baby bump in a flowing cream sequin gown. Wicked star Jeff Goldblum commanded attention in his signature eccentric style, wearing a cream double-breasted tuxedo jacket. Meanwhile, rising star Owen Cooper, nominated for his role in Netflix's Adolescence, broke from tradition with a fashion-forward look that stood out amongst the sea of classic tuxedos.
The Race for the Trophies: Key Contenders and Nominations
With the Golden Globes pushed to a later date, the Critics Choice Awards held even greater significance as the season's first major bellwether. The ceremony has a formidable reputation for forecasting Oscar success, a trend reinforced last season when Anora parlayed its Critics Choice win into Academy Award glory.
This year, the film categories are fiercely competitive. Ryan Coogler's Sinners (Warner Bros.) dominates with 17 nominations, just one shy of the record set by Barbie in 2024. It is closely followed by One Battle After Another with 14 nods, and Hamnet and Frankenstein, each with 11.
The Best Actor race is a heavyweight bout featuring Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners). The Best Actress category is equally stacked, with nominees including Emma Stone (Bugonia), Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), and Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee).
On the television side, the limited series Adolescence (Netflix) leads with six nominations, including Best Limited Series. Nobody Wants This follows with five. The drama and comedy series categories feature familiar favourites, with shows like Severance, The Diplomat, Hacks, and Abbott Elementary vying for top honours.
A Night of Firsts and Forecasts
The 2026 ceremony introduced four new categories: Best Variety Series, and awards for Casting, Stunt Design, and Sound. This expansion reflects the evolving landscape of film and television production.
As the night unfolded, the industry watched closely. The Critics Choice Awards' predictive power was once again the subtext of the evening. With major studios like Warner Bros. leading in film and Netflix dominating television nominations, the results offer a crucial early indicator of which narratives and performances will resonate throughout the awards season.
The event, which aired live on the USA Network and E!, marks a homecoming of sorts for host Chelsea Handler, whose talk show ran on E! for eight years. From its humble beginnings in 1995, the Critics Choice Awards have grown into a must-attend spectacle, effectively kicking off the annual race for Hollywood's highest accolades with a blend of glamour, celebration, and keen industry insight.
