Major Film Categories Reveal Frontrunners
The 2026 awards season has officially begun with the announcement of the 2026 Golden Globe nominations. Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall revealed the nominees on Monday morning. The list includes standout films across drama and comedy—and, for the first time, podcasts.
In the Best Motion Picture – Drama category, strong contenders include Hamnet, Frankenstein, It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Sinners.
Meanwhile, the Musical or Comedy race features Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, No Other Choice, One Battle After Another, Wake Up Dead Man, and Wicked: For Good.
Television Nominations Highlight Returning Hits and New Talent
On the TV side, drama series like Andor, The Diplomat, The Pitt, Pluribus, and Severance are expected to dominate.
In comedy, favorites such as Abbott Elementary, Nobody Wants This, The Chair Company, The Paper, Only Murders in the Building, and The Studio have earned nods.
Historic Addition: Best Podcast Category
This year marks a milestone: the Golden Globes introduced a Best Podcast category. After reviewing 25 shortlisted shows, organizers highlighted Call Her Daddy, Good Hang With Amy Poehler, SmartLess, and Pod Save America as likely nominees.
This move reflects the growing cultural impact of audio storytelling. It also signals Hollywood’s recognition of new media voices.
Animated and International Films Earn Spotlight
Animated features in contention include Zootopia 2, Demon Slayer, Elio, KPop Demon Hunters, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Arco.
For Best Non-English Language Film, look for Sirāt, The Voice of Hind Rajab, and It Was Just An Accident. These selections showcase global cinematic excellence.
Standout Performances Across Film and TV
Performance categories feature a mix of veterans and rising stars. In supporting film roles, Emily Blunt (The Smashing Machine), Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value), Ariana Grande (Wicked: For Good), and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) lead the pack.
On the male side, Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Paul Mescal (Hamnet), Adam Sandler (Jay Kelly), and Sean Penn (One Battle After Another) are top contenders.
For directing, Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), and Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value) may take home honors.
Television Acting and Limited Series Shine
Television drama acting nods include Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us), and Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus).
In comedy, Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jean Smart (Hacks) lead the field.
Limited series also drew acclaim. Adolescence, Black Mirror, All Her Fault, and The Beast in Me are among the top nominees. Performers like Claire Danes, Michelle Williams, Jude Law, and Paul Giamatti could win big.
Ceremony Details and Host Return
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards will air live on January 11 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS. Viewers in the U.S. can also stream it on Paramount+.
Comedian Nikki Glaser returns as host for the second year in a row. Her sharp humor and industry knowledge make her a fitting choice for Hollywood’s first major awards night.
A Changing Awards Landscape
These 2026 Golden Globe nominations not only celebrate traditional film and TV excellence. They also embrace evolving storytelling formats—especially podcasts.
By expanding its categories, the Golden Globes show they are adapting to how audiences consume content today.
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