The 2026 awards season kicked off in style as the Golden Globes honoured the year's best in film and television. The ceremony, held on Monday 12th January, saw historical drama Hamnet and dark comedy One Battle After Another emerge as the major cinematic winners, while the hard-hitting television series Adolescence dominated the small screen categories.
Film Winners: Historical Drama and Dark Comedy Triumph
In a competitive field, the top film prizes were split between two distinct genres. One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson's film about ageing revolutionaries, secured an impressive four awards. These included the coveted best motion picture - comedy/musical, best director for Anderson, and best supporting actress for Teyana Taylor.
However, its lead star, Leonardo DiCaprio, missed out on the best actor prize in what was one of the night's most contested categories. That honour went to Timothee Chalamet, who claimed his first-ever Golden Globe for his performance in the same film. The 30-year-old actor acknowledged past losses, stating the victory felt "that much sweeter," and thanked his long-term girlfriend, Kylie Jenner.
The award for best motion picture - drama went to Hamnet, Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed adaptation about the death of William Shakespeare's son. Its star, Irish actress Jessie Buckley, won best actress in a drama for her powerful portrayal of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. In her acceptance speech, Buckley highlighted the film's international collaboration, noting it told the story of "the most famous Brit who ever lived" with a Chinese director, Chloe Zhao, and a largely Irish and Polish crew.
Other notable film wins included Rose Byrne for best actress in a musical/comedy for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, and a surprise victory for Wagner Moura, who won best actor in a drama for The Secret Agent, which also won best non-English language film.
Television Clean Sweep and Powerful Speeches
The television categories were decisively owned by the critically acclaimed drama Adolescence. The series, which explores the aftermath of a teenage girl's murder, won in all four of its nominated categories. It took home the award for best limited series, anthology series, or television motion picture.
Its stars also swept the board: Stephen Graham won best actor, 16-year-old Owen Cooper made history as the category's youngest winner for best supporting actor, and Erin Doherty won best supporting actress. Co-creator Jack Thorne used the platform to deliver a message of hope, stating that "removing hate is our generation's responsibility" and praising the young cast as "proof the world can be better."
Doherty dedicated her award to therapists, emphasising that "mental health is everything," while a stunned Cooper concluded his speech by exclaiming, "It's mad, what is going on!"
Snubs, Surprises, and Ceremony Moments
As with any awards show, there were notable omissions. High-profile projects like Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, the second Wicked prequel, and Yorgos Lanthimos's Bugonia all left the ceremony empty-handed.
Host Nikki Glaser kept the tone largely light-hearted, offering gentle jabs at attendees, including a joke about Leonardo DiCaprio's dating history for which she later apologised. The ceremony also saw a subtle political nod, with some attendees wearing "Be Good" badges in memory of Renee Good, who was fatally shot in Minneapolis.
A poignant moment came when Julia Roberts received a standing ovation while presenting an award, prompting her friend George Clooney to jokingly feign annoyance when he did not receive the same treatment moments later.
In a twist, Ricky Gervais, known for his past blistering hosting performances, won the award for best TV stand-up comedy performance for Morality, though he was not in attendance.
With the Golden Globes now concluded, the focus shifts to the upcoming BAFTA film awards on 22nd February and the Oscars, for which nomination voting begins immediately.
