when are the critics choice awards 2026

The 31st Critics Choice Awards are scheduled for Sunday, January 4, 2026. This date kicks off the 2026 awards season early, just before major events like the Golden Globes.

Key Event Details

The ceremony takes place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, honoring top achievements in film, television, and streaming from 2025. It airs live on E! and USA Network from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, with West Coast tape delay. Chelsea Handler returns as host for her fourth year, bringing her signature humor to the star-studded night.

Broadcast and Viewing

• Networks : E! (second year in a row) and USA Network for a three-hour telecast.
• Additional Coverage : Creator Cam livestream on social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, hosted by Erin Lim Rhodes for behind-the-scenes access. Glambot footage streams on E! Instagram.

• Nominations Timeline : TV noms on December 4, 2025; film noms on December 5, 2025, announced at 9 a.m. PT across E!, USA, and social media.

New Categories and Highlights

This year introduces four fresh categories to reflect evolving entertainment: Best Variety Series, Stunt Design, Casting/Ensemble, and Sound. These additions follow last year's talk show eligibility tweaks, sparking chatter in awards circles. Expect momentum-building speeches and celebrity moments that often predict Oscar trends.

Trending Context

Online buzz, from Reddit's r/oscarrace to X, highlights the early date as a bold move to lead awards conversations without Golden Globes overlap. Forums debate predictions, with users noting the CCA's push for authenticity amid past controversies like 2025's wildfire delays.

TL;DR: Mark January 4, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET for the live show from Santa Monica—noms drop early December.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.