The 2026 Golden Globe Awards, held on January 12, 2026, in Los Angeles, has ignited a major controversy by removing the Best Original Score category from its live television broadcast. The decision, aimed at creating a crisper telecast, has drawn sharp criticism from one of the film industry's most revered music composers, Hans Zimmer.
Hans Zimmer's Fiery Criticism
On the red carpet, the two-time Academy Award winner, nominated this year for his work on the film F1, did not mince words. "I think it's a shame not to honor those people — my friends — who work so hard to become a voice," Zimmer stated. He humorously yet pointedly added about the composer's relentless dedication, "Sometimes my children wonder who I am — I come into the house and they call the police."
Zimmer emphasised the irony of the move, noting that 2025 was a milestone year for musical scores. "This year is a fantastic year for composers — don't ignore them, you don't have a movie without them," he told Variety. He expressed his disappointment directly, calling the last-minute decision "a little bit ignorant" and poetically described composers as "the psychological underbelly of the whole thing."
Explaining the composer's vital role, Zimmer told Deadline, "By the time we come to the music, the director has been through war. Our first job is to remind him why he did this film in the first place." He even joked that the only upside was not having to give a potentially embarrassing speech if he won.
The Rationale and The Winner
The Golden Globes organisers have been tweaking the show's format in recent years to combat fluctuating ratings. While last year's telecast saw 9.3 million viewers, a minor dip from 2024, the show has simultaneously introduced new categories like Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, Best Stand-up Comedian, and Best Podcast.
However, this quest for a tighter broadcast came at the cost of sidelining key technical awards. This year, the Best Original Score award was presented during a commercial break, off-air. The winner was Ludwig Göransson for his score in Ryan Coogler's horror action blockbuster Sinners. He triumphed over a strong field that included Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), Max Richter (Hamnet), Johnny Greenwood (One Battle After Another), Kangding Ray (Sirāt), and Hans Zimmer (F1).
A Broader Industry Concern
Zimmer's outburst highlights a growing tension in awards shows between entertainment value and honouring the full spectrum of cinematic artistry. The move to sideline core technical categories like original score, which is fundamental to a film's emotional impact, is seen by many as a disservice to the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
The composer's passionate defence serves as a reminder that behind every visual spectacle is an auditory masterpiece that shapes the viewer's experience. Whether the Golden Globes will reconsider this decision for future ceremonies remains to be seen, but the voice of one of cinema's most influential composers has certainly amplified the debate.
