The 2026 Golden Globes delivered one of the more decisive ceremonies in recent memory. Rather than spreading wins across dozens of contenders, the night belonged to a handful of standouts, films and shows that managed to connect with both critics and audiences throughout 2025.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and the Shakespeare adaptation Hamnet led the film side, while on television, The Pitt and the limited series Adolescence dominated their respective categories. Here’s how the night unfolded.
The Big Film Winners
Hamnet Takes Drama
Hamnet claimed Best Motion Picture – Drama and became the emotional center of the film awards. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in a Drama for her performance, delivering one of the night’s most moving acceptance speeches. The film’s success felt earned, it’s the kind of thoughtful, performance-driven work that tends to resonate during awards season.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Night
If there was a single filmmaker who owned the evening, it was Paul Thomas Anderson. His latest film, One Battle After Another, swept the Musical or Comedy categories, taking home Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It’s a hat trick that immediately positions the film as a major contender heading into the rest of awards season.
The film also earned Teyana Taylor a win for Best Supporting Actress, marking a significant breakthrough moment in her career.
Acting Honors Across the Board
Wagner Moura won Best Actor in a Drama for The Secret Agent, which also took home Best Non-English Language Film. The double win underscored the film’s international appeal and Moura’s commanding lead performance.
On the comedy side, Timothée Chalamet added another trophy to his collection with Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme, while Rose Byrne won Best Actress in the same category for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
Stellan Skarsgård rounded out the film acting winners with Best Supporting Actor for Sentimental Value, adding yet another accolade to an already decorated career.
Animated and Technical Categories
KPop Demon Hunters surprised many by winning Best Animated Motion Picture and picking up a second trophy for Best Original Song with “Golden.” It was one of the few animated films to claim multiple wins on the night.
Ludwig Göransson won Best Original Score for Sinners, which also earned the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, a newer category recognizing films that made both cultural and commercial impact.
Television’s Standouts
The Pitt Dominates Drama
The Pitt had the kind of night every drama series hopes for. It won Best Drama Series, and Noah Wyle took home Best Actor in a Drama Series for his performance. The show has been building momentum all season, and the Globes solidified its place as the year’s most celebrated drama.
Rhea Seehorn won Best Actress in a Drama Series for Pluribus, a well-deserved recognition for an actor who’s been turning in stellar work for years.
Comedy Belongs to The Studio (and Jean Smart)
The Studio, the industry satire that became one of the year’s most-talked-about comedies, won Best Musical or Comedy Series. Seth Rogen picked up Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series, giving the show a clean sweep in its main categories.
Jean Smart continued her reign with another win for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Series for Hacks. At this point, the award might as well have her name engraved on it.
Adolescence Sweeps Limited Series
Adolescence was the night’s other major winner, claiming Best Limited Series and both supporting acting awards. Owen Cooper won Best Supporting Actor and Erin Doherty won Best Supporting Actress, making it a complete sweep for the show in its categories.
Other Notable Wins
Ricky Gervais won Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance for Mortality, and Amy Poehler‘s Good Hang took home Best Podcast, a category that continues to reflect the Globes’ evolving relationship with new media formats.
A Clear Signal
Unlike some years where the Golden Globes felt scattershot, 2026 offered a remarkably coherent narrative. A few key projects emerged as the night’s big winners, and the voters seemed unusually aligned. Whether that cohesion continues through the rest of awards season remains to be seen, but for now, films like Hamnet and One Battle After Another, and shows like The Pitt and Adolescence have serious momentum heading into the next phase.
