The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony has officially launched this year's awards season, setting the stage for a marathon of glitz, speeches, and predictable Hollywood ribbing. The night belonged to Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'One Battle After Another', which claimed the top comedy prize, while the opening monologue ensured that Leonardo DiCaprio and his dating life will be a running gag all season long.
Big Wins and Poignant Speeches
The first award of the evening set a powerful tone. Teyana Taylor won for her combustible performance, delivering a heartfelt and excitable speech that resonated deeply. "Most importantly, to my brown sisters and little brown girls watching tonight," she declared, "our softness is not a liability." She passionately added, "We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter and our dream deserves space."
The major winner, however, was Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another'. The film took home the prize for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), with Anderson himself winning both Best Director and Best Screenplay. In the drama category, 'Hamnet' secured the award for Best Picture.
Some wins sparked conversation. While many expected Sean Penn or Benicio Del Toro to win Best Supporting Actor, the award went to Stellan Skarsgård for 'A Sentimental Value', a decision attributed to a potential vote split. However, the article predicts Sean Penn will ultimately win the Oscar for what it calls his "showiest, most unforgettable performance."
Comedy with a Bite: Hosts and Presenters Steal Moments
Comedian Nikki Glaser, hosting for her second year, proved adept at the award-show tightrope, mixing sharp jabs with quick recovery. She opened the night by humorously asking the audience to bid on Warner Brothers and marvelled at the A-listers present, quipping, "And by A-listers I do mean people who are on a list that has been heavily redacted. And the Golden Globe for Best Editing goes to the Justice Department"—a pointed reference to the Jeffrey Epstein files that drew mixed reactions.
The standout comedic moment, however, came from Wanda Sykes. Presenting the award for Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television, she roasted absent nominee Ricky Gervais. "Ricky Gervais, I love you for not being here," she said. "If you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf, and you’re going to thank God and the trans community." When Gervais did win for his Netflix special 'Mortality', she made good on her promise, creating a moment that was equal parts roast, political comment, and inclusive shout-out.
Notable Snubs, New Categories, and the TV Landscape
The ceremony had its oddities and surprises. Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' (JioHotstar), described as a "miracle of a movie" that is angry, musical, and deeply original, did not win the accolades many felt it deserved. It received only the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, while 'Hamnet' won Best Drama. The new category of Best Podcast highlighted the Globes' continued experimentation for relevance.
On the television front, 'The Pitt' (JioHotstar) dominated drama categories, while 'The Studio' (Apple TV) swept the comedies. Rhea Seehorn finally won Best Actress in a Drama for 'Pluribus' (Apple TV), and there was tremendous applause for 16-year-old Owen Cooper winning Best Supporting Actor for 'Adolescence' (Netflix).
The Season is Just Beginning
The 2026 Golden Globes, despite an overlong runtime and a glitchy JioHotstar telecast, successfully set the stage for the months ahead. The night confirmed that 'One Battle After Another' is the film to beat, and that jokes at Leonardo DiCaprio's expense—met with his weary, practiced smile—are now a permanent awards season fixture. As the article notes, the season, much like DiCaprio's forced patience during the monologue, has just begun. It's going to be one award show after another.
