The 2026 Golden Globes are set to kick off awards season with all the glitz, drama, and unpredictability that Hollywood fans have come to expect. On Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET, the Beverly Hilton will once again host the star-studded event, airing live on CBS and streaming for Paramount+ Premium subscribers. The ceremony, a perennial highlight of the entertainment calendar, signals the start of the major movie prizes and sets the tone for the months of speculation, celebration, and, yes, disappointment, that inevitably follow.
As reported by Hung Up, this year’s Golden Globes come with a few new twists. For the first time, the “Golden Eve” event was held, honoring two industry icons: Helen Mirren received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award, while Sarah Jessica Parker was bestowed with the Carol Burnett Award. Both honorees represent decades of excellence in film and television, and their recognition is a reminder of the Globes’ unique ability to blend reverence for the past with excitement for the future.
The competition is fierce, with a bumper crop of films and television shows vying for the coveted statuettes. Leading the movie nominations is One Battle After Another, which racked up nine nods, including Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and Best Actress for Chase Infiniti in the comedy/musical category. Not far behind are Sentimental Value with eight nominations, and Sinners with seven, each representing a different flavor of cinematic excellence over the past year. On the television front, The White Lotus has secured six nominations, while Adolescence scored five, underscoring the increasingly competitive landscape of prestige TV.
According to Metro.co.uk, the past twelve months have been a feast for moviegoers, with everything from blockbuster hits like Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Wicked: For Good to emotional dramas such as Hamnet and Train Dreams. International features like It Was Just an Accident and Sentimental Value have also made waves, broadening the field and raising the stakes for what promises to be an unpredictable night.
Predictions for the top awards are already fueling heated debates. For Best Motion Picture – Drama, Sinners is widely considered the frontrunner, with Hamnet lurking as the dark horse. The double movie category system at the Globes means there are twice the chances to win, but also twice the potential for upsets. One Battle After Another is tipped to take Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, though Marty Supreme could surprise everyone if the stars align.
On the directing front, Paul Thomas Anderson is the favorite for his work on One Battle After Another, finally poised for recognition after years of near-misses. As Metro.co.uk notes, Anderson has been a critical darling for decades but has often been overlooked when it comes to major awards. Ryan Coogler, who helmed Sinners, is not far behind as a potential spoiler, his previous successes with Black Panther and Creed cementing his status as a force in modern cinema. Meanwhile, Jafar Panahi’s direction of It Was Just an Accident is colored by his ongoing legal struggles; last month, he was sentenced in absentia by the Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Court to a further year in prison and a two-year travel ban, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by filmmakers worldwide.
The acting categories are equally stacked. Jessie Buckley is the clear favorite for Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, thanks to her powerful performance as Agnes, William Shakespeare’s wife, in Hamnet. Jennifer Lawrence, starring in Die My Love, is seen as a possible upset, her raw portrayal of a new mother drawing critical acclaim. For Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Michael B. Jordan stands out for his dual role as twins Smoke and Stack in the vampire musical drama Sinners, with Joel Edgerton’s nuanced turn in Train Dreams also earning praise.
In the musical or comedy categories, Rose Byrne’s performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is generating significant buzz. As Metro.co.uk points out, this role could propel Byrne into the A-list, showcasing her range and depth in a darkly entertaining film. Kate Hudson, for her work in Song Sung Blue, is a sentimental favorite, but Byrne’s transformative performance is widely expected to win the day. The race for Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy is a showdown between two generations of Hollywood heartthrobs: Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet, both nominated for their roles in One Battle After Another and Marty Supreme, respectively. DiCaprio, now on his fifteenth Golden Globe acting nomination, and Chalamet, on his fifth, are both at the top of their game, but there’s a sense that the vote could split, opening the door for Ethan Hawke’s mesmerizing performance as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon to take the prize.
Supporting categories are equally competitive. Ariana Grande’s turn as Glinda in Wicked: For Good is a standout, with Metro.co.uk noting her refusal to “rest on her laurels” and her willingness to take risks in her performance. Teyana Taylor, in One Battle After Another, is also a strong contender, her portrayal of revolutionary leader Perfidia Beverly Hills earning widespread praise. For Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role, Paul Mescal’s role as William Shakespeare in Hamnet could ride a wave of “Hamnet fever” to victory, but Stellan Skarsgård’s performance in Sentimental Value is not to be overlooked, especially given his strong showing on the publicity circuit.
On the television side, The White Lotus and Adolescence are leading the pack, with six and five nominations, respectively. The small screen has never been more competitive, and the Globes’ recognition of both established hits and breakout newcomers reflects the evolving landscape of entertainment.
As the industry gears up for Sunday’s ceremony, anticipation is running high. The Golden Globes have always been a night of surprises, and with so many deserving nominees, this year promises to be no different. Whether you’re watching from the Beverly Hilton, on your couch, or following along with friends online, the 2026 Golden Globes are sure to deliver the mix of glamour, excitement, and unpredictability that keeps audiences coming back year after year.
