The 2026 awards season officially kicked off with a bang on December 5, when the Critics Choice Association unveiled its 31st annual nominees. Sinners dominated with a jaw-dropping 17 nominations, while Netflix’s gripping limited series Adolescence topped TV categories with 6 nods. With Chelsea Handler returning as host for the fourth year, this ceremony promises to be Hollywood’s most exciting kickoff to 2026.
Mark your calendars—the Critics Choice Awards will broadcast live on January 4, 2026 from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on E! and USA Network from 7-10 PM ET/PT.
Table of Contents
Critics Choice Awards 2026: Everything You Need to Know
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Ceremony Date | Sunday, January 4, 2026 |
| Broadcast Time | 7:00-10:00 PM ET/PT |
| Where to Watch | E! and USA Network |
| Host | Chelsea Handler (4th consecutive year) |
| Location | Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA |
| Film Leader | Sinners (17 nominations) |
| TV Leader | Adolescence (6 nominations) |
| New Categories | Best Variety Series, Best Stunt Design, Best Casting/Ensemble, Best Sound |
Film Categories: Major Nominees Breakdown
Best Picture Contenders
The Best Picture race features an eclectic mix of genres, showcasing 2025’s most acclaimed cinema:
- Sinners (Warner Bros.) – Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller leads with 17 nods
- One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.) – Paul Thomas Anderson’s action-comedy with 14 nominations
- Hamnet (Focus Features) – Chloé Zhao’s period drama with 11 nominations
- Frankenstein (Netflix) – Guillermo del Toro’s gothic reimagining with 11 nominations
- Marty Supreme (A24) – Josh Safdie’s latest project
- Bugonia – Yorgos Lanthimos film starring Emma Stone
- Jay Kelly (Netflix) – Compelling drama
- Train Dreams (Netflix) – Joel Edgerton starrer
- Sentimental Value (Neon) – Joachim Trier’s emotional drama
- Wicked: For Good (Universal) – Musical sequel with 7 nominations
Best Actor Nominees
The Best Actor category features powerhouse performances from Hollywood’s finest:
- Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme: The young actor continues his awards season dominance with this biographical drama about a table tennis champion.
- Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another: DiCaprio reunites with Paul Thomas Anderson in this action-packed thriller that’s earned critical acclaim.
- Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams: Delivers a quietly powerful performance in this adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella.
- Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon: The veteran actor brings depth to this character-driven drama.
- Michael B. Jordan – Sinners: Playing dual roles as twin brothers in Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller, Jordan showcases his incredible range.
- Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent: The Brazilian actor delivers a compelling turn in this espionage drama.
Best Actress Nominees
The Best Actress field highlights remarkable performances from leading ladies:
- Jessie Buckley – Hamnet: Portrays Agnes Shakespeare in this emotional period drama about the death of the Bard’s son.
- Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You: Delivers a comedic yet heartfelt performance in this unique dramedy.
- Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another: Breakout performance in PTA’s action thriller that has critics buzzing.
- Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value: The Norwegian actress continues her ascent with this powerful dramatic role.
- Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee: Transforms in this biographical drama about the Shaker movement founder.
- Emma Stone – Bugonia: Reteams with Yorgos Lanthimos after their previous collaborations earned critical praise.
Notable Snub: Cynthia Erivo’s absence from the Best Actress category surprised many, as the Wicked: For Good star was expected to repeat her previous year’s success.
Best Director Race
Six visionary filmmakers compete for the top directing honor:
- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another: The master craftsman delivers another ambitious genre-bending experience.
- Ryan Coogler – Sinners: Creates a fresh take on vampire mythology with stunning visual storytelling.
- Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein: Brings his gothic sensibilities to Mary Shelley’s classic tale.
- Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme: The Safdie brother ventures solo with this biographical sports drama.
- Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value: The Norwegian director crafts an intimate emotional journey.
- Chloé Zhao – Hamnet: The Oscar winner tackles Shakespeare’s family tragedy with poetic grace.
Best Supporting Performance Nominees
Best Supporting Actor:
- Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein: The Euphoria star tackles the iconic Monster role
- Paul Mescal – Hamnet
- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Adam Sandler – Jay Kelly: Continues his dramatic renaissance
- Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress:
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good: The pop star earns recognition for her portrayal of Glinda
- Additional nominees include performances from various critically acclaimed films
Television Categories: Major Nominees
Best Drama Series
The drama race features both returning favorites and exciting newcomers:
- Paradise (Hulu)
- Andor (Disney+)
- Task (HBO Max)
- Severance (Apple TV+)
- Landman (Paramount+)
- The Pitt (HBO Max)
- The Gilded Age (HBO Max)
- The Last of Us (HBO Max)
- The Diplomat (Netflix)
- Pluribus (Apple TV+)
Best Comedy Series
Comedy nominees showcase television’s funniest programming:
- Nobody Wants This (Netflix) – 5 nominations
- A Man on the Inside (Netflix)
- St. Denis Medical (NBC)
- The Righteous Gemstones (HBO Max)
- The Studio (Apple TV+)
- Murderbot (Apple TV+)
- Poker Face (Peacock)
- Ghosts (CBS) – 4 nominations
- Elsbeth (CBS)
- Hacks (HBO Max) – 4 nominations
Best Limited Series
Adolescence (Netflix) leads with 6 nominations, followed by:
- The Better Sister (Prime Video)
- Sirens (Netflix)
- All Her Fault (Peacock) – 4 nominations
- Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (Peacock)
- Dope Thief (Apple TV+)
- Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix)
- The Beast in Me (Netflix)
- Death by Lightning (Netflix) – 4 nominations
- Dying for Sex (FX on Hulu)
- The Girlfriend (Prime Video)
What These Nominations Mean for Oscar Season
The Critics Choice Awards serve as one of the most reliable predictors of Academy Award success. Last year, the CCA selected Anora as Best Picture, which went on to win the Oscar. Acting winners Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña all repeated their victories at the Academy Awards.
This year’s nominations signal several important trends:
Genre Diversity: From vampire thrillers (Sinners) to period dramas (Hamnet) to musical sequels (Wicked: For Good), the field represents cinema’s full spectrum.
Streaming vs. Studio Power: Warner Bros. leads with 36 film nominations, while Netflix follows with 27. This reflects the ongoing evolution of how audiences consume premium content.
New Voices Rising: Breakthrough performances from actors like Chase Infiniti and Miles Caton suggest fresh talent emerging.
Biggest Surprises and Snubs
Surprises:
- Sinners earning 17 nominations—just one shy of Barbie’s record 18 from two years ago
- Wicked: For Good dropping from 11 nominations (original) to just 7
- Four new categories being introduced this year
Notable Snubs:
- Cynthia Erivo missing the Best Actress category entirely
- It Was Just an Accident (Palme d’Or winner) limited to only Best Foreign-Language Film nomination
- Several expected contenders absent from major categories
How to Watch & Stay Updated
The 31st Critics Choice Awards will air live on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 7-10 PM ET/PT on E! and USA Network. You can also stream the ceremony on participating platforms.
For more entertainment news, awards coverage, and exclusive interviews, visit TechnoSports. Stay tuned as we’ll be covering winners, red carpet fashion, and all the memorable moments from Hollywood’s first major awards show of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where can I watch the 2026 Critics Choice Awards?
The 31st Critics Choice Awards will broadcast live on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 7-10 PM ET/PT. You can watch on E! and USA Network, both available through cable subscriptions or streaming platforms like Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. The ceremony takes place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, with Chelsea Handler hosting for her fourth consecutive year. Red carpet coverage typically begins at 6 PM ET on E!, giving viewers a chance to see all the fashion and celebrity arrivals before the main event.
Which film and TV shows lead the 2026 Critics Choice Award nominations?
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners dominates the film categories with 17 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan’s dual role performance. Warner Bros.’ One Battle After Another follows with 14 nominations, while Netflix’s Frankenstein and Focus Features’ Hamnet each earned 11 nods. In television, Netflix’s limited series Adolescence leads with 6 nominations, including Best Limited Series and recognition for its young star Owen Cooper. Comedy series Nobody Wants This (Netflix) secured 5 nominations, while dramas Severance, The Pitt, and Hacks each earned 4 nominations across various categories.
