Lights, camera, excitement! The Critics Choice Awards 2026 is happening today, and if you love movies, TV, and all things glitzy, you know this is the moment when Hollywood truly shines. The Critics Choice Awards aren’t just another awards show—they’re a sneak peek at the trends, the big wins, and even the films and performances likely to make a splash at the Oscars. For anyone who’s passionate about cinema, streaming hits, and award-season drama, the Critics Choice Awards are the ultimate barometer of what’s hot, who’s delivering unforgettable performances, and which directors, screenwriters, and actors are commanding attention.
This year, the 31st annual ceremony, hosted by Chelsea Handler, promises a star-studded extravaganza at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, showcasing both film and television achievements. From fan-favorite movies like Sinners, racking up a jaw-dropping 17 nominations, to acclaimed TV hits like Adolescence, the Critics Choice Awards categories list is packed with surprises, first-time nods, and beloved classics. Whether you’re obsessed with the Critics Choice Awards Best Picture category, curious about the new Critics Choice Awards technical awards, or just in it for the glitz and glam of the red carpet, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about this year’s awards, nominees, and winners.
For those who like a complete roadmap, check out the Awards Season 2026 Calendar & Viewing Guide to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the action, whether live on TV, streaming, or behind the scenes.
All About Critics Choice Awards Film Categories
The Critics Choice Awards film categories are divided into several key areas, ranging from acting and directing to technical mastery and innovative storytelling. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Best Picture and Acting Honors
At the heart of the Critics Choice Awards movie categories is the prestigious Best Picture award. This isn’t just a trophy; it’s a nod to storytelling excellence, cinematic innovation, and emotional impact. This year, films like Sinners and One Battle After Another are leading the pack. If you loved last year’s standouts, you can also revisit the Best Movies of 2025 to see how some of these films compare.
Acting categories at the Critics Choice Awards are a true showcase of talent. The Critics Choice Awards Best Actor / Best Actress and Critics Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor / Best Supporting Actress awards recognize performances that stay with you long after the credits roll. There’s also a nod to the younger stars with Critics Choice Awards Best Young Actor / Actress, ensuring the next generation of Hollywood icons gets the spotlight they deserve.
Directors and Screenwriters: Behind the Camera
If actors are the heart of a film, directors and screenwriters are its soul. The Critics Choice Awards Best Director and Critics Choice Awards Best Original Screenplay categories honor visionary leaders and creative storytellers who bring scripts to life. Adaptations aren’t left out either—the Critics Choice Awards Best Adapted Screenplay acknowledges the skill of transforming beloved books, plays, or stories into cinematic gold. These awards are essential for anyone curious about the craft and artistry that make movies unforgettable.
Comedy, Animation, and Foreign Films
The Critics Choice Awards celebrate more than just drama. The Critics Choice Awards Best Comedy film category highlights laugh-out-loud performances and stories that warm the heart. Animated fans have their moment too with Critics Choice Awards Best Animated Feature, which often features films that are visually stunning and emotionally resonant. Meanwhile, Critics Choice Awards Best Foreign Language Film ensures global cinema gets its well-deserved recognition. Together, these categories showcase the diversity of storytelling in the film world.
Craft and Technical Awards
The magic of movies isn’t just in the story or acting—it’s in the details. That’s where the Critics Choice Awards craft categories come in, honoring achievements in cinematography, editing, and costume design. The Critics Choice Awards technical awards, like visual effects, score, and song, recognize the behind-the-scenes brilliance that makes films feel alive. And for the first time this year, the Critics Choice Awards have added Best Stunt Design, Best Casting and Ensemble, and Best Sound to the mix, showing that every part of filmmaking, from the action sequences to the subtle soundscape, deserves applause.
For those fascinated by celebrity style, these craft categories often intersect with fashion moments, especially in Critics Choice Awards Best Hair & Makeup and Best Costume Design—the perfect complement to award-winning performances. You can catch a recap of past glamour and fashion highlights in our Top 10 Red Carpet Looks 2025 to see how films and stars influence trends.
Below-the-Line Awards
Not all awards are about fame and cameras. Critics Choice Awards below-the-line awards honor the silent heroes—editors, cinematographers, production designers—whose work is essential to cinematic storytelling. These unsung champions often set the tone, pace, and visual aesthetic of the films we love, ensuring that every scene resonates with the audience. Recognizing these talents keeps the awards grounded in the art of filmmaking itself.
How Critics Choice Awards Predict the Oscars
For movie buffs, one of the most exciting aspects of the Critics Choice Awards is how closely the Critics Choice Awards Oscar predictor categories align with Academy Award nominations. Historically, films and actors recognized here often make waves at the Oscars, making the Critics Choice Awards a must-watch for fans following award-season drama.
Critics Choice Awards TV Categories
Of course, the Critics Choice Awards aren’t just about movies. Television shines here too, with categories like Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series, Best Limited Series, and Best Movie Made for Television. Acting honors mirror film categories, including Best Actor in a Drama Series, Best Actress in a Comedy Series, and supporting roles across genres. With streaming series dominating the small screen, these awards highlight performances and storytelling that captivate viewers in their living rooms. For fashion and beauty fans, the TV red carpet can be just as thrilling as the films, and our Emmy Awards 2025 Red Carpet coverage offers a peek at styles and trends making waves.
When and How to Watch
Mark your calendars! The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards will air live on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. ET / 4:00-7:00 p.m. PT on E! and USA networks. Red carpet coverage kicks off earlier with LIVE from E!: Critics Choice Awards from 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET / 2:00-4:00 p.m. PT, hosted by Justin Sylvester, Keltie Knight, Will Marfuggi, and Erin Lim Rhodes. You can also catch behind-the-scenes action on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts via E! News and the official Critics Choice Awards pages.
Streaming options make it easy to watch on the go through USANetwork.com or the apps for USA, E!, SYFY, and Oxygen. After the show, E!’s Live RE!CAP: Critics Choice offers highlights, commentary, and breakdowns of the winners, nominees, and unforgettable moments, ensuring you won’t miss a thing.
Presenters and Special Moments
The Critics Choice Awards are as much about the people on stage as the awards themselves. This year’s lineup of presenters includes Ali Larter, Alicia Silverstone, Allison Janney, Ava DuVernay, Bradley Whitford, Jeff Goldblum, Kaley Cuoco, Regina Hall, William H. Macy, and many more. Some are nominees too, adding an extra layer of excitement. For fashion enthusiasts, these appearances are a mix of inspiration and glamour—perfect for scouting new trends and recreating red carpet looks from Celebrity Street Style to Shop Now.
Why the Critics Choice Awards Matter
The Critics Choice Awards are more than trophies—they’re a celebration of excellence in both film and television. They honor performances, storytelling, technical skill, and innovation, while giving fans a sneak peek at potential Oscar winners. For anyone who lives for film awards season, understands the Critics Choice Awards eligibility categories, or simply loves a night of stars, speeches, and stunning fashion, this is a show you won’t want to miss.
Whether you’re following Critics Choice Awards acting categories, exploring the Critics Choice Awards screenplay categories, or keeping tabs on the Critics Choice Awards technical awards, the ceremony is a brilliant mix of glamour, insight, and celebration. With new categories, standout films, and a red carpet full of unforgettable fashion moments, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years yet.
So, grab your popcorn, follow along on social media using #CriticsChoiceAwards, and get ready to celebrate the best in movies and TV. From the Critics Choice Awards Best Picture category to the hidden gems in craft and technical awards, this year’s show has something for every fan of film, television, and the art of storytelling.
| Category Type | Award Category |
| Film Categories | Below the Line (Film) |
| Best Picture | |
| Best Actor | |
| Best Actress | |
| Best Supporting Actor | |
| Best Supporting Actress | |
| Best Young Actor / Actress | |
| Best Director | |
| Best Original Screenplay | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | |
| Best Animated Feature | |
| Best Comedy | |
| Best Foreign Language Film | |
| Best Cinematography | |
| Best Editing | |
| Best Costume Design | |
| Best Production Design | |
| Best Score | |
| Best Song | |
| Best Hair and Makeup | |
| Best Visual Effects | |
| Best Stunt Design (new) | |
| Best Casting/Ensemble (new) | |
| Best Sound (new) | |
| TV Categories | Best Drama Series |
| Best Actor in a Drama Series | |
| Best Actress in a Drama Series | |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | |
| Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | |
| Best Comedy Series | |
| Best Actor in a Comedy Series | |
| Best Actress in a Comedy Series | |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | |
| Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | |
| Best Comedy Special | |
| Best Limited Series | |
| Best Movie Made for Television | |
| Best Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television | |
| Best Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television | |
| Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television | |
| Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie Made for Television | |
| Best Talk Show | |
| Best Variety Series (new) | |
| Best Animated Series | |
| Best Foreign Language Series |
