Hollywood’s awards season officially began on Sunday night with the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, and the ceremony delivered exactly what viewers expect from this long-running celebration: emotional speeches, sharp humor, major wins, and a few signs of how the industry itself is evolving. Broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ from Beverly Hills on January 11, the 2026 Golden Globes honored achievements across film and television—and, for the first time, podcasts—making this year’s event feel both traditional and refreshingly new.
Nikki Glaser Sets the Tone
Returning for her second consecutive year as host, comedian Nikki Glaser wasted no time establishing the night’s energy. Her opening monologue was fast, fearless, and unapologetically sharp, poking fun at both Hollywood’s biggest stars and the network airing the show.
One of the loudest reactions came when she joked about Leonardo DiCaprio’s career achievements and his much-younger dating history, while another quip took aim at CBS News amid its recent controversies. The humor landed squarely in classic Golden Globes territory—irreverent, self-aware, and very aware of who was sitting in the room.
Film’s Biggest Winners of the Night
On the film side, One Battle After Another and Hamnet emerged as the evening’s standout titles. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the comedy or musical categories, winning Best Picture, along with Best Director and Best Screenplay for Anderson himself. The film also earned acting recognition, including Timothée Chalamet’s win for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for Marty Supreme, during which he dedicated the award to his parents and girlfriend Kylie Jenner.
Hamnet led the drama field, winning Best Motion Picture, Drama, along with Best Actress in a Drama for Jessie Buckley. The film also picked up additional recognition across categories, solidifying its place as one of the night’s most respected dramatic works.
Other notable film victories included The Secret Agent, which won Best Non-English Language Film and earned Wagner Moura the award for Best Actor in a Drama. Animated audiences were represented by KPop Demon Hunters, which won Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for “Golden.” Meanwhile, Sinners made a strong showing with wins for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Best Original Score.
Supporting acting honors went to Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), adding to a night that highlighted both veteran performers and rising talent.
Television’s Standout Series
Television categories were led by Netflix’s Adolescence, which collected four awards, including Best Limited or Anthology Series. The show also earned acting wins for Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, and Erin Doherty, making it one of the most celebrated series of the night.
Close behind was Apple TV+’s The Studio, which won Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical, along with Seth Rogen’s Best Actor in a Comedy victory. HBO’s The Pitt also made a strong impression, taking home Best Drama Series and Best Actor in a Drama for Noah Wyle.
Jean Smart continued her awards-season dominance by winning Best Actress in a Comedy for Hacks. In her acceptance speech, she encouraged viewers to lead with kindness—a moment that stood out amid the evening’s humor and spectacle.
Recognizing New and Lasting Voices
One of the biggest shifts this year was the inclusion of podcasting as an official Golden Globe category. Amy Poehler became the first-ever recipient of the Best Podcast award for Good Hang with Amy Poehler, marking a significant expansion of what the Globes consider mainstream entertainment.
The ceremony also honored industry legends. Sarah Jessica Parker received the Carol Burnett Award, while Helen Mirren was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, celebrating her lifetime of contributions to film and television.
A Snapshot of Modern Hollywood
By the end of the night, One Battle After Another and Adolescence had each claimed four awards, making them the biggest winners of the ceremony. Films like The Studio, The Pitt, KPop Demon Hunters, Sinners, and The Secret Agent followed closely behind with two wins each.
Beyond the trophies, the 2026 Golden Globes reflected a Hollywood in transition—one that still celebrates prestige filmmaking and television, but is increasingly open to new formats, new voices, and new definitions of success. Between emotional speeches, biting comedy, and a broader view of storytelling, this year’s ceremony set the tone for an awards season that already feels anything but predictable.
