The Golden Globe nominations for 2026 were announced Monday morning, unveiling a wide-ranging slate that reflects both the year’s biggest cultural moments and its most daring artistic achievements. Though many predictions held true, the announcement came with notable surprises — including the absence of Wicked: For Good from the Best Motion Picture categories — and a number of gratifying nods for standout performers such as Amy Madigan, who earned recognition for her chilling role in Weapons.
As expected, the Globes continued their tradition of dividing films between Drama and Musical/Comedy categories, a structure that annually fuels debate among industry watchers about how works are classified. Still, the nominations emphasized the breadth and vitality of contemporary cinema, offering a field that spans ambitious period dramas, innovative genre work, and sharply crafted comedies.
Leading the film categories is One Battle After Another, considered an awards-season frontrunner and living up to the hype with multiple nominations. The Paul Thomas Anderson feature, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a hapless revolutionary entangled in dangerous political intrigue, has been celebrated both for its performances and its incisive writing. The film is currently available via premium streaming and will return to select IMAX theaters later this month.
Also collecting significant recognition is Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, a layered drama about a troubled actress, her filmmaker father, and the complicated emotional life of the family home they share. Renate Reinsve’s acclaimed performance anchors the film, while Elle Fanning’s supporting role has drawn widespread praise.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which blended supernatural horror with historical trauma to make a major cultural impact earlier this year, also earned a strong showing. Meanwhile, Hamnet and Wicked: For Good — two films representing opposite ends of the cinematic spectrum — appeared prominently across acting, directing, and music categories.
Animated features also commanded attention, with Zootopia 2, Elio, and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle among those competing in a competitive field. International cinema was similarly well represented, with The Secret Agent, Sirat, and Sentimental Value vying for Best Non-English Language Film.
On the television side, voters gravitated toward buzzy series and acclaimed performances. Severance, Adolescence, The Diplomat, and The White Lotus earned substantial recognition across categories, reflecting a year in which psychological thrillers, workplace allegories, and dark dramas dominated cultural discussion. Comedies such as Only Murders in the Building, The Bear, and Hacks also performed well, underscoring their continued popularity with audiences and critics alike.
In limited series categories, Adolescence — Netflix’s breakout hit centered on a teenager entangled in a murder case — stood out with multiple nominations, further cementing its status as one of the year’s most talked-about releases.
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards ceremony will be held Sunday, January 11, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. With Oscar season only months away, the newly announced slate of nominees sets a compelling tone for the months of competition ahead — highlighting a year in entertainment marked by ambition, innovation, and an impressive breadth of storytelling.
