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- The 2026 Critics Choice Awards were held in Santa Monica on Sunday night.
- Ariana Grande, Michael B. Jordan, and Elle Fanning were among the best-dressed attendees.
- Stars like Mia Goth and Diego Luna, unfortunately, fell short with overly simple outfits.
Celebrities are kicking off 2026 in dramatic fashion — literally.
On Sunday night, Hollywood stars flocked to Santa Monica for the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, which celebrate the best of film and TV.
Some attendees, such as Ariana Grande, stood out in glamorous, sparkling ensembles, while others fell short with lackluster looks.
These are the best and worst outfits we saw.
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The "Sentimental Value" star hit the red carpet in a sleeveless gown designed by Ralph Lauren.
The shimmering dress had thin straps, a plunging cowl neckline, and a form-fitting skirt that extended into a short train.
Fanning stood out in the elegant gown, which perfectly complemented her blonde hair and neutral makeup.
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She wore a strapless, sparkle-covered gown with a structured bodice and ruched fabric across its floor-length skirt.
Its shape worked strongly for the actor, but its gray-toned color washed her out. A brighter silver or gold coloring might have worked better.
It also would've been fun to see Silverstone wear her hair in an updo to highlight her diamond earrings and statement dress.
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Bode designed his two-piece set, which included a black blazer and matching trousers. Both were decorated with white, floral appliqués.
The outfit was eye-catching, memorable, and fashion-forward. He completed it with a white undershirt and black leather boots.
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The "Andor" actor arrived at the Critics Choice Awards wearing a forest green suit and undershirt.
Though the outfit's earthy colors looked great on Luna, its satin pieces fit loosely and seemed to need some tailoring. His pants, especially, looked too long.
The outfit was also very understated and could have been enhanced with some accessories, such as rings or a brooch.
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They coordinated in all-black ensembles that showcased their respective styles.
Rei Ami donned a velvet gown with a dramatic bodice cutout and wrist accessories from Chochengco, while Ejae had a glamorous moment in a strapless, satin ball gown.
Audrey Nuna took the most daring approach, wearing a sculptural sphere piece from Marc Jacobs.
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Saint Laurent designed her dramatic look. It featured a tan suit, a massive feather boa across her shoulders, black gloves, a red tie, and leather boots that extended up her thighs.
A simpler pair of shoes, such as boots that sat under her pant legs, would have probably looked better with the outfit.
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Law Roach and Yvonne Shelly styled Grande for the Critics Choice Awards in a custom Alberta Ferretti gown designed by Lorenzo Serafini.
The baby-pink gown featured a scooped neckline, a form-fitting bodice, and a floor-length, slightly poofy skirt. A sheer overlay, covered in sparkly embellishments, sat atop the dress and formed a cape in the back.
Grande wore her hair up and paired the statement gown with Swarovski jewelry. The look was the perfect blend of red-carpet glam and an homage to her portrayal of Glinda in "Wicked: For Good."
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The "Severance" star's gold-toned gown had a structured bodice with ruching on the center and sides, as well as two diagonal straps that crisscrossed across her upper chest. The texture continued on the full skirt, bringing dimension to the look.
However, Arquette added a black belt and black wrap to the look, which felt distracting against the shiny fabric of the dress. The look would have been stronger if she had gone in a different direction with her accessories.
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Infiniti, who was nominated for her performance in "One Battle After Another," arrived at the Critics Choice Awards in a yellow set designed by Louis Vuitton.
The top had a high neckline, while the cropped bodice was rounded with ruched fabric. The back of the top was the same shape but scooped lower, forming a cape that flowed to her calves. A form-fitting skirt with a subtle train matched the top.
Infiniti, who shared on Instagram that the yellow of her outfit is her favorite color, paired the look with diamond jewelry.
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The "Frankenstein" star wore a pretty Dior gown for the awards ceremony. The silky, sheath-style dress was white, while cream off-the-shoulder straps brought a bit of color into the look.
Still, it felt like Goth's look was missing something, as she wore her hair in a bun and kept her jewelry minimal, wearing only small earrings and a single ring. The look may have felt more cohesive if she had worn a statement necklace or a more dramatic hairstyle.
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Jordan selected a burgundy Louis Vuitton suit for the event. The jacket was double-breasted, while the pants were slim-fitted. He paired the bold suit with a pink shirt and a slightly shiny burgundy tie, as well as Christian Louboutin shoes.
The outfit may have also subtly nodded to "Sinners," for which Jordan was nominated for best actor, as one of the twins he portrays, Stack, wears a similar shade of red throughout the film.
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Designed by Bottega Veneta, Elordi's black suit had a subtly asymmetrical design with the jacket buttoning at an angle. Both the jacket and pants had a relaxed fit, adding to the effortlessly cool feel of the ensemble.
The "Frankenstein" star paired the suit with a black shirt, a gray tie, and black shoes. His sunglasses added a pop of color to the monotone outfit, as they had red lenses.