The Gist
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards red carpet is under way at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
This year’s event will be hosted by Chelsea Handler for the 4th consecutive year.
Stars like Ariana Grande, Emma Stone, and Chase Infiniti are up for the biggest awards of the night.
Hollywood is officially back in awards mode, with the Critics Choice Awards kicking off the season. Taking place on January 4, it also marks the first chance for celebrities to test-drive a fresh red carpet identity for the new year and experiment with unexpected silhouettes, trends, and colors. The night often sets the tone for the season, offering a glimpse of who will emerge as early frontrunners—both in fashion and in awards contention.
Hosted once again by Chelsea Handler, the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards will broadcast live from Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar. The categories are especially stacked this year: Ryan Coogler’s Sinners dominated the film categories with 17 nominations, just shy of the all-time Critics Choice record. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another also emerged as one of the most-talked-about films, specifically drawing attention for newcomer Chase Infiniti, whose breakout performance impressed critics.
There’s also the return of some serious star power this season. Amanda Seyfried and Jessie Buckley are both up for Best Actress for their roles in The Testament of Ann Lee and Bugonia, respectively, while Elle Fanning and Ariana Grande are competing in the supporting category for Sentimental Value and Wicked: For Good.
As stars like Jackie Tohn, Jeff Goldblum, and Ji-Young Yoo make their way to the red carpet, here are all the up-to-date arrivals at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
01 of 40
Jackie Tohn in Khoon Hooi and Carina Hardy jewelry
02 of 40
Jeff Goldblum wears Blancpain timepiece
Getty Images
Jeff Goldblum
03 of 40
Ji-young Yoo
Getty Images
Ji-Young Yoo
04 of 40
Danielle Brooks in Chopard jewelry
Getty Images
Danielle Brooks
05 of 40
Carrie Preston
Getty Images
Carrie Preston
06 of 40
Ginnifer Goodwin in Giorgio Armani
07 of 40
Chase Sui Wonders in Miu Miu and Tiffany & Co jewelry
08 of 40
Mia Goth in Dior
09 of 40
Sheryl Lee Ralph in Tony Ward
10 of 40
Bella Ramsey in Prada
11 of 40
Justine Lupe in Prada
12 of 40
Odessa A’zion in Ott Dubai
13 of 40
Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter
14 of 40
Alicia Silverstone in Stella McCartney
15 of 40
Quinta Brunson
16 of 40
Erin Doherty in Louis Vuitton
17 of 40
Krys Marshall
18 of 40
Kaley Cuoco in Simkhai
19 of 40
Mckenna Grace in vintage Vera Wang and Chopard jewelry
20 of 40
Elle Fanning in vintage Ralph Lauren and Cartier jewelry
21 of 40
Michael B. Jordan in Louis Vuitton and David Yurman jewelry
22 of 40
Audrey Nuna in Marc Jacobs
23 of 40
Meghann Fahy in Ludovic de Saint Sernin
24 of 40
Ariana Grande in Alberta Ferretti
25 of 40
Amanda Seyfried in Valentino and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
26 of 40
Wunmi Mosaku in Gap Studio and Messika jewelry
27 of 40
Sarah Snook in Akris and Chopard jewelry
28 of 40
Chase Infiniti in Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry
29 of 40
Leighton Meester in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry
30 of 40
Adam Brody
31 of 40
Britt Lower in Bottega Veneta and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
32 of 40
Alexander Skarsgård
33 of 40
Sterling K. Brown
34 of 40
Teyana Taylor in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry
35 of 40
Jacob Elordi in Bottega Veneta and Cartier jewelry
36 of 40
Jessica Biel in Lanvin and Cartier jewelry
37 of 40
Tramell Tillman in Anamika Khanna and Lagos jewelry
38 of 40
Jessie Buckley in Dior
39 of 40
Hannah Einbinder in Louis Vuitton
40 of 40
Paul Mescal in Gucci
Read the original article on InStyle