Award season always kicks off with one ceremony after another.
And this year, kicking off the 2026 nominations for film and TV are the Critics Choice Awards, with Erin Lim Rhodes and Keltie Knight announcing the lucky nominees on Dec. 5. (See the full list here.)
Leading the pack were movies Sinners, One Battle After Another, Hamnet and Marty Supreme—including nods for actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Michael B. Jordan, Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Timothée Chalamet.
Wicked: For Good also earned a number of nods, including for star Ariana Grande as Best Supporting Actress.
Meanwhile, on the TV side of things, the Critics Choice Awards followed in line with the Emmys, with The Pitt, Severance and Hacks among the nominees for the best of the small screen. Actors Adam Scott, Jean Smart, Katherine LaNasa and Noah Wyle also found themselves nominated alongside their series.
As for the stars in question, Ariana couldn't come down from her bubble over her Wicked: For Good nomination.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she wrote on her Instagram Story, "@criticschoice for this acknowledgement and for including me in this magnificent group of performances. i loved these films, i love these women. i am deeply honored."
Meanwhile, Teyana gushed over her nomination with a string of heart, mind blown, happy tear and rose emojis.
Another star feeling the happy tears was One Battle After Another's Chase Infiniti, who wrote alongside the emoji on her Story, "OH MY GOD. So incredibly grateful."
Hosting this year’s ceremony—which airs live on Jan. 4 across E! and USA Network—for the fourth year in a row is comedian Chelsea Handler, who is more than ready to reprise her role.
“Kicking off the year with the Critics Choice Awards feels right," she said in a Nov. 17 announcement. "Nothing says ‘new beginnings’ like a room full of critics ready to tell you how you did last year."
While the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards will continue its format of honoring all that TV, film and streaming has to offer in one night, there are also four exciting new categories joining next year’s list: Best Variety Series, Best Stunt Design, Best Casting/Ensemble and Best Sound.
So don't miss the Critics Choice Awards 2026 broadcasting live on E! and USA on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
And for a look back at the many stars in attendance at last year's ceremony, read on.
Ariana Grande
In Christian Dior
Cynthia Erivo
In Armani Privé
Angelina Jolie
In Elie Saab
Hannah Einbinder
In Louis Vuitton
Nicole Kidman
In Saint Laurent
Demi Moore
In Schiaparelli Couture
Matt Bomer
In Berluti
Zoe Saldaña
In Saint Laurent
Orlando Bloom
Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
Leighton in Christian Dior and Adam in Santoni
Michelle Yeoh
In Balenciaga
Lupita Nyong'o
In Chanel
Kate Hudson
Maren Morris
In Monique Lhuillier
Naomi Watts
In Prada and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
Rachel Brosnahan
In Miu Miu and Pomellato jewelry
Kathryn Hahn
In Oscar de la Renta
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Colin Farrell
Mikey Madison
Logan Lerman
Cristin Milioti
In Saint Laurent and Brilliant Earth jewelry
David Harbour
Jodie Foster
Jessica Gunning
Dakota Fanning
In Irene Neuwirth jewelry
Jeff Goldblum
Marissa Bode
In Maria Lucia Hohan
Ethan Slater
Harvey Guillen