The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards were held Jan. 11 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, where a handful of films and television series quickly distinguished themselves as frontrunners for the Academy Awards.
Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, Glaser’s opening monologue was mixed with industry humor and light crowd work.
“One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” “The Pitt,” “Adolescence” and “The Studio” dominated the evening, each receiving multiple awards and setting the bar for the rest of the season.
The evening’s top film award, Best Motion Picture, Drama, went to “Hamnet.” Steven Spielberg accepted the award and praised director Chloé Zhao in his speech for bringing Maggie O’Farrell’s novel to life. Zhao followed with one of the most touching speeches of the night, speaking on loss, vulnerability and how artists and audiences can connect on deeper levels.
The evening picked up when Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in a Drama, for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in “Hamnet,” sharing a memorable moment when she embraced fellow nominee Julia Roberts before stepping onstage to receive her award.
On the comedy side, “One Battle After Another” won Best Motion Picture Comedy, wrapping up a strong night for the film. This film also earned Teyana Taylor Best Supporting Actress, whose heartfelt speech emphasized representation and belonging for women of color.
Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for “Marty Supreme,” building on a strong award season streak, and once again thanking his partner, Kylie Jenner, in his acceptance speech.
One of the night’s most significant wins came from Wagner Moura’s film “The Secret Agent.” He became the first Brazilian actor to win Best Actor in a Drama Film. Moura used his speech to address generational trauma and values, marking a milestone for international representation at the Golden Globes.
The television categories were equally powerful. “The Pitt” won Best TV Drama, with Noah Wyle taking home Best Actor in a Drama Series. Wyle thanked worldwide healthcare workers, emphasizing the show’s relevance.
“Adolescence” stood out as a strong limited series, winning Best Limited or Anthology Series after securing several acting awards earlier in the evening. Executive Producer Jack Thorne used his spotlight to address generational responsibility and the importance of hope.
Comedy television also stood out as “The Studio” won Best Comedy Series and Seth Rogen took Best Actor in a Comedy Series, highlighting the show’s broad appeal.
Jean Smart won Best Actress in a Comedy Series for “Hacks” delivering a sharp, confident speech reflecting her industry experience.
Several Globe winners used their spotlight to address broader industry issues, including representation, diligence and creative risk taking. The recurring themes of the night shift towards more global storytelling as studios and audience members continue to redefine success.
Apart from the awards, the ceremony closed on a touching note when Glaser paid tribute to the late filmmaker Rob Reiner, delivering one of the night’s most meaningful moments.
Overall, the 2026 Golden Globes were a mix of celebration, reflection and historic achievements, highlighting this year’s top contenders as awards season moves forward.
