January 4, 2026
“E! NEWS” EXCLUSIVE: How to Watch the Critics Choice Awards 2026 and Live From E! Red Carpet
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Polish off those trophies: It's time for Critics Choice Awards 2026.
With days to go until the Jan. 4 ceremony—hosted by Chelsea Handler at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica Calif.—airs on E! and USA Network, celeb attendees are preparing to hit the red carpet.
This year, Ryan Coogler's film Sinners—starring Michael B. Jordan—leads the list with 17 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku) and Best Young Actor/Actress (Miles Caton).
Following closely behind is Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another with 14 nods. In fact, the movie will face off against Sinners in multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Best Supporting Actress (Teyana Taylor).
Both films are also up for awards in Best Casting and Ensemble, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Stunt Design, Best Score and Best Sound.
Meanwhile, Netflix's Adolescence leads the TV categories with six nominations.
For all the details on the Critics Choice Awards and how to watch Live From E!'s exclusive red carpet interviews, keep reading.
When are the Critics Choice Awards 2026?
The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards are taking place on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
How can I watch the Critics Choice Awards 2026?
The Critics Choice Awards will air live on E! and USA networks. You can also watch live on USANetwork.com as well as the apps for USA, E!, SYFY, and Oxygen. The show will be available next day on Peacock.
What time are the Critics Choice Awards 2026?
The Critics Choice Awards will air live on both coasts from 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT to 10 p.m. ET/7 pm. PT on Jan. 4.
Who is hosting the Critics Choice Awards 2026?
Chelsea Handler is hosting the Critics Choice Awards 2026.
Who is nominated at the Critics Choice Awards 2026?
Leading the list of Critics Choice Awards 2026 film nominations are Ryan Coogler's Sinners—starring Michael B. Jordan—with 17 nominations and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another—starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor—with 14 nods.
On the TV side, Netflix's Adolescence received the most nominations—six total—including one for Best Limited Series. See the complete list of Critics Choice Awards 2026 nominations here.
When does E!'s Critics Choice Awards 2026 red carpet begin?
Leading into the show, the LIVE from E!: Critics Choice Awards red carpet special—hosted by Justin Sylvester and Keltie Knight along with Will Marfuggi and Erin Lim Rhodes—will air live from 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT to 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT across E! and USA Network. You can also watch live on USANetwork.com and USA, E!, SYFY, and Oxygen apps plus Peacock.
Erin will host E!'s CreatorCam from 6:15 p.m. ET/3:15 PT to 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, giving viewers unfiltered, behind-the-scenes access to the red carpet. Coverage will be streamed on E! News' Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts accounts, E! Entertainment's YouTube Shorts, as well as USA Networks Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
You can check out CreatorCam footage on the @critcschoice Instagram, YT Shorts and @officialcriticschoice TikTok page.
Viewers can also tune in for a live, behind-the-scenes look at all the Glambot action on E! Entertainment's Instagram.
Throughout Live From E! fans can catch exclusive moments featuring Erin with sponsor Avocados from Mexico as well as Keltie and celebrity stylist Tara Swennen with sponsor Marshalls. Plus, Marshalls will keep the celebration going with a RE!CAP segment on red-carpet inspired fashion.
When is E!'s post-Critics Choice Awards coverage airing?
E!'s LiveRE!CAP: Critics Choice with Will Marfuggi, Robyn Delmonte and Monét X Change will air after the award show from 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT to 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT on the E! network and eonline.com, as well as E! News' YouTube, X and LinkedIn accounts, E! Entertainment's Facebook, X and YouTube pages and the USA network's X and YouTube accounts.
While we count down the hours until the Jan. 4 ceremony, take a look at the best dressed Critics Choice Awards looks ever.
E! PR Media Contacts:
Haley Mason: haley.mason@versantmedia.com
Hannah Fink: hannah.fink@versantmedia.com
Hannah Reeves: hannah.reeves@versantmedia.com
