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Critics Choice Awards Kick Off 2026 Season on Jan. 4 With Chelsea Handler Hosting and ‘Sinners’ Leading Nominations

The ceremony is treated as an early bellwether that helps set momentum for the Globes, BAFTAs and Oscars.

Overview

  • The 31st edition takes place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica with live international coverage on TNT/TNT Series and Max (HBO Max), with red‑carpet programming carried by partner channels in several regions.
  • Sinners’ enters as the frontrunner with 17 nominations, followed by ‘One Battle After Another’ with 14, with ‘Frankenstein’ also prominent across key categories.
  • Chelsea Handler returns as host, marking a familiar tone for a show closely watched by studios and campaigners for its predictive value.
  • This year’s ceremony adds craft recognition with categories including Best Action Design and Best Sound, expanding the spotlight beyond marquee awards.
  • The season calendar continues with the Golden Globes on Jan. 11, Grammys Feb. 1, BAFTAs Feb. 22, SAG Awards on Mar. 1 (streaming on Netflix), and the Oscars on Mar. 15, with a reported SAG rebrand to “The Actor Awards” noted in some coverage but not broadly confirmed.