The 2026 awards season has officially begun, and if the 83rd Golden Globe winners are any indication, we are in for a historic year in cinema. Hosted by the sharp-witted Nikki Glaser at the Beverly Hilton on January 11, the ceremony saw Paul Thomas Anderson’s political satire One Battle After Another and Chloé Zhao’s emotional drama Hamnet emerge as the night’s biggest victors. From Timothée Chalamet’s first-ever win to a surprising sweep by Netflix’s Adolescence in the television categories, the night was packed with defining moments.
Cinema’s Big Night: PTA and Chloé Zhao Split Top Honors
The race for Best Motion Picture Drama 2026 concluded with a resounding win for Hamnet. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film—an adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel—captured the hearts of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Zhao’s win cements her status as a powerhouse filmmaker, with the film also securing a Best Actress trophy for Jessie Buckley’s gut-wrenching portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare.
On the lighter side of the spectrum, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another absolutely dominated the comedy field. The film, a loose adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, took home the prize for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Anderson himself enjoyed a banner night, securing the Paul Thomas Anderson Golden Globe win for both Best Director and Best Screenplay. The film’s momentum didn’t stop there, as Teyana Taylor earned the award for Best Supporting Actress, delivering one of the night’s most emotional acceptance speeches.
Timothée Chalamet and Rose Byrne Shine
One of the most talked-about Golden Globes highlights 2026 was the crowning of Timothée Chalamet. After years of nominations, the Timothée Chalamet Golden Globes 2026 campaign for Marty Supreme paid off with a win for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. Playing a table tennis prodigy in the Josh Safdie-directed frenzy, Chalamet’s energetic performance charmed voters over stiff competition.
In the same category for actresses, Rose Byrne walked away with the statue for her role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, proving once again that she is one of Hollywood’s most versatile comedic talents. meanwhile, the drama acting categories saw a historic win for Wagner Moura, who took home Best Actor for his role in the Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent.
Television Sweeps: Adolescence and The Pitt
While film often grabs the headlines, the television categories featured some of the night's clearest landslides. If you’re wondering who won Golden Globes 2026 on the small screen, look no further than Netflix’s limited series Adolescence. The show won four awards, including Best Limited Series. Its cast was undeniable, with Stephen Graham winning Best Actor and young breakout star Owen Cooper making history as the youngest winner in the Supporting Actor category.
In the drama series race, HBO’s The Pitt secured the top prize, edging out heavyweights like Severance and The White Lotus. On the comedy front, Seth Rogen’s Apple TV+ series The Studio won Best Musical or Comedy Series, signaling a shift toward industry-focused satire.
Full List of Major Winners
For those tracking the Oscar race, here is the essential breakdown of the key winners from Sunday night:
- Best Motion Picture – Drama: Hamnet
- Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: One Battle After Another
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
- Best Actor – Drama: Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent
- Best Actress – Drama: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
- Best Actor – Musical/Comedy: Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme
- Best Actress – Musical/Comedy: Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Best Supporting Actress: Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another
- Best Supporting Actor: Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value
- Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
What These Wins Mean for the Oscars
With the Golden Globes 2026 winners list now public, the trajectory for the Academy Awards is becoming clearer. One Battle After Another has established itself as the frontrunner for Best Picture, given the broad support for Anderson’s direction and screenplay. However, Hamnet remains a formidable challenger, particularly with the emotional weight of Jessie Buckley’s performance driving its campaign.
As the dust settles on the 83rd ceremony, all eyes now turn to the guilds to see if these trends hold. But for now, Paul Thomas Anderson and Chloé Zhao can rest easy knowing they are the undisputed kings and queens of the 2026 awards season.
