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- When, where and how to watch the Critics Choice Awards
- Stream the ceremony without a cable subscription
- Films leading the nominations and the big movie contenders
- TV shows vying for top honors
- Host and onstage presenters to watch
- Where to find live reaction and coverage
- About the reporter covering streaming and TV
The 2026 awards season kicks off tonight as actors, filmmakers and TV creators gather in Santa Monica for the Critics Choice Awards. Expect red-carpet moments, surprise wins and early awards momentum for films and series already generating buzz.
When, where and how to watch the Critics Choice Awards
- Date: Jan. 4, 2026
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET (live)
- Venue: Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, California
- Television: E! and USA Network
- Streaming: Available on live-TV services that carry E! and USA Network
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Stream the ceremony without a cable subscription
If you don’t have a cable package, live TV platforms are the easiest option. Many services offer short trials that include both broadcast channels.
- DIRECTV — Includes E! and USA Network. It currently offers a five-day free trial. After the trial, plans start at a low monthly price for expanded channel lineups.
- Sling TV — The Blue plan carries USA Network and E! on select packages. Pricing is competitive for cord-cutters.
Check each provider for availability in your area and current trial offers. Streaming availability can change before the broadcast.
Films leading the nominations and the big movie contenders
“Sinners” arrives as the most-nominated film this year, topping the list with 17 nods. Several high-profile titles are also in contention across major categories.
Best Picture contenders
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Jay Kelly
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- Train Dreams
- Wicked: For Good
Leading acting nominees — men
- Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
- Joel Edgerton — Train Dreams
- Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
Leading acting nominees — women
- 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
- Emma Stone — Bugonia
TV shows vying for top honors
On the small screen, Netflix’s Adolescence is the most-nominated series, with six nominations. Drama, comedy and limited series races feature both returning favorites and fresh hits.
Best Drama Series nominees
- Alien: Earth
- Andor
- The Diplomat
- Paradise
- The Pitt
- Pluribus
- Severance
- Task
Best Comedy Series nominees
- Abbott Elementary
- Elsbeth
- Ghosts
- Hacks
- Nobody Wants This
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Righteous Gemstones
- The Studio
Best Limited Series nominees
- Adolescence
- All Her Fault
- Chief of War
- Death by Lightning
- Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy
- Dope Thief
- Dying for Sex
- The Girlfriend
Host and onstage presenters to watch
Chelsea Handler returns as host for the fourth consecutive Critics Choice Awards. She’ll lead the live broadcast and open the evening.
Presenters and onstage guests include many nominees and big names. Expect appearances from the following:
- Allison Janney
- Billy Bob Thornton
- Diego Luna
- Hannah Einbinder
- Owen Cooper
- Rhea Seehorn
- Ali Larter
- Alicia Silverstone
- Arden Cho
- Ava DuVernay
- Bradley Whitford
- Jeff Goldblum
- Jessica Williams
- Justin Hartley
- Justin Sylvester
- Kaley Cuoco
- Kate Hudson
- Keltie Knight
- Marcello Hernández
- Mckenna Grace
- Michelle Randolph
- Noah Schnapp
- Quinta Brunson
- Regina Hall
- Sebastian Maniscalco
- William H. Macy
Where to find live reaction and coverage
Social platforms will light up as winners are announced. Follow official Critics Choice accounts and entertainment reporters for immediate updates.
- Use network apps and verified social feeds for on-the-ground clips.
- Entertainment news sites will publish winners and highlights throughout the night.
- Hashtags tied to the awards help track audience reaction in real time.
About the reporter covering streaming and TV
The author covers streaming services and live TV options. She tests platforms, compares plans and reports on the best ways to watch entertainment events. Her work blends consumer tech insight with pop-culture coverage and practical advice for viewers.
