If you checked your phone yesterday morning, you know what hit. The Golden Globe Nominations 2026 dropped. And for once it felt like the people pulling the strings had been paying attention. Movies you and I have been quietly talking about got proper nods. Some surprises. A few snubs. And enough variety to make the whole thing feel less predictable.
Big Names, Big Surprises
On the surface, some of the usual suspects showed up: heavy hitters, expected faces. But the real story is the mix. Sure, there’s big-budget fare, but indie films, bold newcomers and foreign-language contenders got a seat at the table, too, even animated ones. That’s not always the case.
With nine nominations, coming in first in all films is “One Battle After Another,” which suddenly became the frontrunner. Close behind it is “Sentimental Value,” followed by “Sinners. Just that trio alone tells you people were in the mood for heavyweight drama with a pulse, rather than safe, polite storytelling.
Films That Got (or Didn’t Get) the Recognition
Drama lovers got plenty to talk about. Titles like “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “The Secret Agent,” and “Sinners” made it into the main race. Each one sparked its own little corner of debate, especially from people who swear their favorite film deserved that slot. It wouldn’t be awards season without a little grumbling.
Comedies didn’t get pushed aside either. “Blue Moon,” “Bugonia,” “Marty Supreme,” “No Other Choice,” “Nouvelle Vague,” and “One Battle After Another” all earned recognition. It’s rare to see comedy taken this seriously, so the shift feels overdue.
Animation had a strong year too. Six films landed nominations, including “Arco,” “Elio,” “Kpop Demon Hunters,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” and “Zootopia 2.” The range is wild: action, fantasy, emotional family stories, and flat-out pop energy. Honestly, it’s nice seeing animators get the spotlight they deserve.
International cinema showed up with force. Films from different regions pushed into the non-English category, signaling that voters weren’t stuck in one lane. It adds some real depth to the lineup. And maybe a hint that audiences are a lot more open-minded now than studios give them credit for.
Actors, Creators, and the Usual Glamor
The acting categories look stacked from every angle. Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande, and Cynthia Erivo all made the cut. Imagine the memes, reaction clips, side-eye, and the typical teasing that ensues whenever such a high-profile group of celebrities congregates in one place.
Directors and writers put in a good showing as well. Names like Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Guillermo del Toro, Chloe Zhao, Jafar Panahi and Joachim Trier all earned nominations and if you’ve been following their work over the last year, it wasn’t exactly a surprise. When such people make something, audiences tend to lean in.
TV, Podcasts: It’s Not Just About Film Anymore
Television categories were packed again. Shows like “The White Lotus,” “Severance,” “The Pitt,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and “Adolescence” all scored nominations. The Globes have slowly shifted toward treating TV and film with equal respect, and this year nailed that balance. If anything, the TV side might be fiercer than the movies.
The newest twist? The Best Podcast category. Imagine that. Podcasts sitting next to TV and film at the same awards table. Shows like “SmartLess,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” and “Armchair Expert” are officially part of awards season now. And honestly, it fits. People listen to podcasts the way they used to watch late-night TV. Car rides. Lunch breaks. Walking through Target with your phone in your pocket.
Awards Night, Logistics & Extra Touches
The nominations were announced on December 8, 2025, by Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall live. The ceremony airs on January 11, 2026, and will be hosted by Nikki Glaser.
She made it through last year pretty well, so fingers crossed for smooth sailing this time around. Well, as smoothly as any awards show ever goes.
Lifetime honors will celebrate Helen Mirren, recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and Sarah Jessica Parker, who will receive the Carol Burnett Award.
And both will be the subjects of a special program, “Golden Eve,” which sounds kind of like the Globes attempting to inject some old-school warmth into its usual mix of chaos and sequins.
Why This Year Feels Different
Look, awards shows always have their quirks. Politics. Studio agendas. Random surprises that make no sense. But this year feels more open. More willing to take risks. The mixture of genres, budgets, countries and creators lends the whole thing some well-needed texture.
And if you’re the kind of person who starts doing Google searches for Golden Globes 2026 predictions and keeps track of the Golden Globe nominations 2026 date as soon as awards chatter begins to bubble, then you’ve probably seen that every critic worth his or her salt can agree: this lineup reads wide awake.
Movies no longer live in some kind of bubble. Audiences have options. So the Globes shifting toward variety might be the best decision they’ve made in a long time. Here’s hoping the ceremony keeps that same energy.
What’s the one nomination you’re cheering for this year?
