The Critics Choice Awards red carpet brought serious star power as Hollywood’s biggest names stepped out in force for the annual ceremony celebrating the best in film and television.
Ariana Grande, 32, cut an ethereal figure in a delicate blush pink Alberta Ferretti gown, teamed with a sheer lace cape.
The gown was adorned throughout with shimmering silver floral embellishments. She styled her brunette locks into a sleek ponytail, softly curled for an elegant finish.
The Wicked: For Good star is up for Best Actress.
Elle Fanning, 27, took the plunge in a stunning gold gown as she arrived at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica for the glitzy event. Her sultry gown clung to her figure and featured a daring backless design.
Host Chelsea Handler, 50, kicked off the red carpet in a dark off-shoulder green gown paired with a delicate diamond necklace.
Ariana Grande, Elle Fanning and Chelsea Handler led the best dressed stars at the Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday
She wore her blonde tresses parted in the middle, and further sparkled up her look with two diamond bracelets.
Other A-listers arriving early on the red carpet included Frankenstein star Mia Goth, 32, who wowed in a bridal Dior white slip dress with an off-the-shoulder shawl.
She wore her raven tresses swept up into an elegant updo.
The Housemaid star Amanda Seyfried, 40, cut a stylish figure in a strapless gown with a black velvet top accented with a bright pink bow, and a delicate pink bottom.
Succession’s Justine Lupe was a vision in a light mint gown with a pleated skirt.
Odessa A’zion, 25, wore a sparkling statement silver gown with dramatic billowing sleeves.
Adolescence stars Erin Doherty looked glamorous in a strapless turquoise gown with a puffball statement skirt, teamed with a pair of ivory pumps.
Justin Theroux’s wife Nicole Brydon Bloom, 31, showed off her baby bump in a flowing cream sequin gown.
Ginnifer Goodwin, 47, wore a long-sleeve sparkling black and silver gown and a pixie hairstyle.
Wicked star Jeff Goldblum immediately commanded attention, leaning into his trademark eccentric elegance in a cream double-breasted tuxedo jacket paired with black trousers and a bow tie.
The actor posed confidently for photographers, proving once again that awards-season style is his playground.
Ariana Grande, 32, cut an ethereal figure in a delicate blush pink Alberta Ferretti gown, teamed with a sheer lace cape
She styled her brunette locks into a sleek ponytail, softly curled for an elegant finish
She wore classic French manicure for the occasion
Elle’s sultry gown clung to her figure and featured a daring backless design
It highlighted her toned arms
She showed off the racy design
Handler wore her platinum tresses in a straight style
Frankenstein star Mia Goth, 32, wowed in a bridal off-the-shoulder Dior gown, with her raven tresses swept up into an elegant updo
The Housemaid star Amanda Seyfried, 40, cut a stylish figure in a strapless gown with a black velvet top accented with a bright pink bow, and a delicate pink bottom
She accessorized with a diamond necklace
Succession star Justine Lupe and Adolescence star Erin Doherty looked glamorous in turquoise gowns
Odessa A’zion, 25, wore a sparkling statement silver gown with dramatic billowing sleeves
Justin Theroux’s wife Nicole Brydon Bloom, 31, showed off her baby bump in a flowing cream sequin gown
Ginnifer Goodwin, 47, wore a long-sleeve sparkling black and silver gown and a pixie hairstyle
Danielle Brooks, 36, wowed in a sheer black dress
Chase Sui Wonders opted for a halter neck red dress and wore her brunette tresses in voluminous curls
Also stepping into the spotlight was rising star Owen Cooper, best known for his Emmy-winning role in the 2025 Netflix series Adolescence, who showcased a fashion-forward look that stood out against the traditional tuxedos lining the carpet.
Among the early arrivals was Nobody Wants This’ Timothy Simons, who kept things classic in a tailored suit, while Bob Odenkirk and wife Naomi Odenkirk made a rare joint appearance, opting for understated, polished looks as they posed together on the carpet.
iZombie’s Rose McIver turned heads in a striking gown that balanced elegance with a modern edge, while Oscar Nuñez and Jackie Tohn brought coordinated charm, smiling for photographers as they arrived hand in hand.
Sheryl Lee Ralph made a stunning entrance in a burgundy ballgown.
Danielle Brooks, 36, wowed in a sheer black dress.
Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter leaned into bold, matching orange ensembles, bringing a pop of color to the red carpet.
Adding to the night’s memorable fashion moments, For All Mankind star Krys Marshall cradled her baby bump in a sleek, floor-length cream gown, delivering one of the evening’s most elegant and touching appearances.
Also stepping out was Gabriel Luna, who cut a sharp figure in a crisp ivory jacket and black bow tie, keeping things classic yet camera-ready as he smiled on the carpet.
Jillian Bell brought soft romance to the red carpet in a flowing floral gown, opting for a delicate, feminine silhouette that stood out against the darker tones worn by many of her peers.
Meanwhile, Craig Robinson delivered a bold fashion moment in a deep burgundy suit, adding a pop of color and personality as he posed beneath the Critics Choice backdrop.
Handler returns as host for the fourth consecutive year as the star-studded ceremony lights up the Barker Hangar – a glitzy night that regularly signals who’s about to dominate awards season.
Sheryl Lee Ralph made a stunning entrance in a burgundy ballgown
Carrie Preston dazzled in a shimmering pink gown
Long considered one of the most accurate crystal balls in Hollywood, the Critics Choice Awards have a strong track record of forecasting Oscar glory.
That predictive power was on full display last season, when Anora used its Critics Choice Best Picture win to reassert itself after being shut out at the Golden Globe and SAG Awards, momentum it ultimately carried all the way to the Academy Awards.
Three acting winners, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña, also repeated their Critics Choice victories at the Oscars.
With the Golden Globe Awards not airing until January 11 this year, the Critics Choice Awards step into the spotlight as the first major televised ceremony of 2026, giving studios and contenders a crucial early boost.
Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin called the awards ‘a celebration of the very best in film and television,’ adding that the group’s voters help guide audiences toward standout storytelling each year.
Leading the pack this year is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which scored a jaw-dropping 17 nominations across film and television categories – just one shy of Barbie’s record-breaking 18 nods in 2024.
Hollywood is officially kicking off awards season in high-glam fashion as the 31st annual Critics Choice Awardstake over Santa Monica this Sunday, January 4 with host Chelsea Handler
Sinners leads the Critics Choice Awards film contenders with an impressive 17 nominations. Michael B Jordan and Omar Benson Miller in a scene from Sinners
Close behind are One Battle After Another with 14 nominations, and Hamnet and Frankenstein, which each earned 11.
Other major contenders include Marty Supreme, Wicked: For Good, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, Jay Kelly and Bugonia.
The Best Actor race in film is stacked, with Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) battling it out.
Best Actress nominees include Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee) and Emma Stone (Bugonia).
In the supporting categories, Best Supporting Actor contenders feature Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Paul Mescal (Hamnet), Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), Adam Sandler (Jay Kelly) and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value).
Best Supporting Actress nominees include Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value), Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners) and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another).
On the television side, the acting races are just as competitive.
Drama Series contenders include Sterling K. Brown (Paradise), Adam Scott (Severance), Diego Luna (Andor), Billy Bob Thornton (Landman) and Keri Russell (The Diplomat), alongside performances from Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us) and Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age).
Comedy categories bring familiar favorites and breakout turns, with nominees such as Adam Brody and Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This), Ted Danson (A Man on the Inside), Jean Smart (Hacks), Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones) and Seth Rogen (The Studio).
Limited series and TV movie races are led by Stephen Graham (Adolescence), Brian Tyree Henry (Dope Thief), Charlie Hunnam (Monster: The Ed Gein Story), Sarah Snook (All Her Fault), Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex) and Renée Zellweger (Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy).
Supporting categories feature standout work from Tramell Tillman (Severance), Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Allison Janney (The Diplomat), Hannah Einbinder (Hacks), Janelle James (Abbott Elementary), Julianne Moore (Sirens) and Nick Offerman (Death by Lightning).
Also on the TV side, Adolescence leads with six nominations, followed closely by Nobody Wants This with five.
Heavy hitters like The Diplomat, Hacks, The Pitt, All Her Fault and Ghosts also made strong showings.
Studio powerhouses are equally competitive, with Warner Bros. leading film nominations and Netflix dominating the television field.
This year’s ceremony also introduces four new categories – including best variety series, casting, stunt design and sound.
On the red carpet, expect a parade of A-listers.
One Battle After Another followed closely behind Sinners, earning 14 nominations; Leonardo DiCaprio is pictured
Timothee Chalamet was nominated for his role in Marty Supreme
Adolescence leads this year’s television nominees with six nominations including a nod for Best Limited Series; (Owen Cooper is pictured)
Cynthia Erivo was snubbed for her role as Elphaba, while Ariana Grande scored a Supporting Actress nod as Glinda
Nominees like Chalamet, Stone, Grande and more are expected to attend, alongside presenters including Colman Domingo, Regina Hall, Diego Luna, Allison Janney, Kaley Cuoco, Ava DuVernay, Bradley Whitford and Billy Bob Thornton.
The Critics Choice Awards were launched in 1995 by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, originally a small group of around 60 film journalists dedicated to honoring cinematic excellence.
Over time, the organization expanded to include television and streaming categories, with past winners like La La Land, Nomadland and Everything Everywhere All at Once frequently continuing on to Oscar glory.
What began as a modest industry gathering has since evolved into a major red-carpet event at the Barker Hangar, drawing hundreds of stars and live audiences eager for the season’s first big wins.
The 31st Critics Choice Awards also mark Handler’s return to E!, the network that was home to her talk show for eight years.
In recent years, the ceremony has seen a rotating roster of hosts, including Taye Diggs, who helmed the show from 2019 to 2021, and co-hosted the 2022 ceremony alongside Nicole Byer.
Past hosts have also included Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller, Michael Strahan, Aisha Tyler, Kristin Chenoweth and D.L. Hughley.
Actor Eric McCormack served as the ceremony’s first-ever host in 2005.
The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards will air live on USA Network and E! on Sunday, January 4, beginning at 7 p.m. ET.