The Golden Globes opened the 2026 awards season on Sunday night with several major wins and a few surprises.
Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony for the second year in a row. She also hosted the 2025 event.
“Just like Wicked, I’m back for a sequel,” Glaser joked.
She also poked fun at Hollywood’s biggest stars and the night’s nominees. Her jokes included references to the Justice Department and the redacted Jeffrey Epstein files.
The ceremony brought together many of the biggest names in film and television. However, two films quickly became the night’s biggest winners.
‘Hamnet’ wins big
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet won the Golden Globe for Best Film – Drama.
The film adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same name. It explores the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway.
The story follows the couple as they deal with the death of their son, Hamnet.
The film also earned Jessie Buckley the award for Best Actress – Drama. The Irish actress plays Agnes Hathaway.
Paul Mescal also received a nomination for Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture. However, Stellan Skarsgård won the award for Sentimental Value.
Buckley thanked the cast and crew during her acceptance speech.
She highlighted the international team behind the film. Zhao directed the movie, while Irish and Polish creatives also worked on the production.
The success of Hamnet gives the film strong momentum as the 2026 awards season continues.
‘One Battle After Another’ doesn’t disappoint
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another also had a major night.
The film won the Golden Globe for Best Film – Musical or Comedy. Anderson also won the award for Best Director.
Teyana Taylor added another victory when she won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.
However, the movie’s leading star, Leonardo DiCaprio, missed out on his category.
Timothée Chalamet won the award instead for his performance in Marty Supreme.
The results gave One Battle After Another an impressive start to the awards season. Anderson’s directing win also strengthened the film’s position among this year’s leading contenders.
‘The Secret Agent’ wins Best Non-English Language Film award
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent won the Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film.
The Brazilian film stars Narcos actor Wagner Moura. He also won Best Actor – Drama for his performance.
Moura made history with the victory. He became the first Brazilian actor to win a Golden Globe in the category.
During his acceptance speech, Moura discussed the film’s themes of memory and generational trauma.
He also spoke about the importance of preserving values during difficult times.
The film’s success added another international highlight to the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the television categories produced several notable winners.
Medical drama The Pitt won Best Series – Drama. Apple TV’s The Studio took home the award for Best Series – Comedy or Musical.
Adolescence continued its successful awards run. Stephen Graham won Best Actor in a Limited Series, while the show also won Best Limited Series.
Rhea Seehorn won for Pluribus, while Noah Wyle took home the award for The Pitt.
Seth Rogen won for The Studio, and Michelle Williams won for Dying for Sex.
With major victories for Hamnet, One Battle After Another and several television favourites, the Golden Globes have set the tone for the 2026 awards season.
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