The golden globe nominations for 2026 have officially set the tone for this year’s awards season, highlighting the films, television series, and performances that shaped entertainment over the past year. Announced in December, the nominations immediately sparked discussion across the industry and among audiences, reaffirming the Golden Globes’ influence as an early and highly visible awards event.
With the ceremony scheduled for January 11, 2026, the nominations provide a clear snapshot of where creative momentum currently stands. They reflect changing viewing habits, the growing reach of streaming platforms, and a renewed emphasis on performance-driven storytelling across both film and television.
Why the Golden Globe Nominations Matter Each Year
The Golden Globes occupy a unique position in the entertainment calendar. They arrive early in awards season, often shaping narratives that carry through the months that follow. For many projects, a nomination brings renewed attention, increased viewership, and stronger industry visibility.
Unlike ceremonies focused solely on film or television, the Golden Globes combine both mediums in a single event. This structure mirrors how audiences consume content today, moving seamlessly between theaters, streaming platforms, and episodic storytelling.
For performers, a nomination can mark a career milestone. For studios and networks, it can validate creative risk. For viewers, the list serves as a guide to the most talked-about titles of the year.
Films Leading the 2026 Nomination Count
Several films emerged as dominant contenders when the nominations were announced. These titles appeared across multiple major categories, signaling broad support.
Among the most recognized films this year:
- One Battle After Another leads the field with nine nominations
- Sentimental Value follows closely with eight nominations
- Sinners earned seven nominations
These films stood out for their performances, direction, and narrative ambition. Their presence across categories reinforces their status as defining works of the year.
Best Motion Picture – Drama
The drama category highlights films that rely on emotional depth, moral complexity, and character-focused storytelling.
Nominees include:
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- It Was Just an Accident
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
- The Secret Agent
Each nominee approaches drama from a distinct perspective. Some draw on historical themes, while others explore personal conflict or psychological tension. Together, they represent a wide range of dramatic filmmaking styles.
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Comedy and musical categories continue to evolve, blending humor with emotion and spectacle with intimacy.
Nominees include:
- Blue Moon
- Bugonia
- Marty Supreme
- No Other Choice
- Nouvelle Vague
- One Battle After Another
Several of these films also earned nominations in acting and directing categories, underscoring their creative range beyond genre labels.
Animated Films Continue to Gain Recognition
Animation remains one of the most diverse and globally inclusive categories.
This year’s animated nominees are:
- Arco
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle
- Elio
- Kpop Demon Hunters
- Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
- Zootopia 2
The list blends original storytelling with established franchises, reflecting animation’s ability to reach audiences across age groups and cultures.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
The drama acting category showcases performances rooted in transformation and emotional range.
Nominees include:
- Joel Edgerton
- Oscar Isaac
- Dwayne Johnson
- Michael B. Jordan
- Wagner Moura
- Jeremy Allen White
Each performance anchors a film that also earned broader recognition, strengthening the connection between individual achievement and overall success.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
This category highlights versatility, timing, and emotional authenticity.
Nominees include:
- Amanda Seyfried
- Chase Infiniti
- Cynthia Erivo
- Emma Stone
- Kate Hudson
- Rose Byrne
The performances range from musical-driven roles to character-centered comedies, reflecting the category’s expanding scope.
Supporting Performances Shape the Conversation
Supporting roles often provide a film’s emotional foundation, and this year’s nominations reflect their importance.
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
- Adam Sandler
- Benicio Del Toro
- Jacob Elordi
- Paul Mescal
- Sean Penn
- Stellan Skarsgård
Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
- Ariana Grande
- Emily Blunt
- Elle Fanning
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
- Amy Madigan
- Teyana Taylor
Several of these performances became focal points of audience discussion following the nominations announcement.
Directors and Storytellers Take Center Stage
Behind-the-camera recognition remains a critical part of the Golden Globes.
Best Director nominees include:
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Guillermo del Toro
- Chloé Zhao
- Jafar Panahi
- Joachim Trier
- Ryan Coogler
These filmmakers represent a mix of established voices and globally recognized creators, highlighting the international scope of this year’s nominations.
Television’s Strong Presence
Television continues to dominate cultural conversation, and the nominations reflect that influence.
Best Television Series – Drama
- The Diplomat
- The Pitt
- Pluribus
- Severance
- Slow Horses
- The White Lotus
Among these, The White Lotus leads television nominees with six nominations, reinforcing its sustained popularity and critical attention.
Comedy and Limited Series Recognition
Comedy and limited series categories reward sharp writing, ensemble strength, and concise storytelling.
Nominated shows across acting categories include:
- Abbott Elementary
- Wednesday
- Hacks
- Only Murders in the Building
- Poker Face
- Long Bright River
These series reflect how television continues to blend mainstream appeal with creative ambition.
A Notable Evolution: Podcast Recognition
One of the most notable developments in this year’s nominations is the formal inclusion of a podcast category, marking a clear acknowledgment of audio storytelling as a significant creative medium. This update reflects how podcasts have moved beyond niche audiences to become mainstream platforms for conversation, storytelling, and cultural influence.
The nominated podcasts represent a range of formats, including long-form interviews, topical discussions, and narrative-driven programming. Their selection highlights the growing impact of hosts, production quality, and audience engagement in shaping modern media consumption habits.
Nominated podcasts include:
- Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
- Call Her Daddy
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- SmartLess
- Up First
The introduction of this category signals a broader shift in how prestige entertainment is defined. By recognizing podcasts alongside film and television, the awards reflect changing audience behavior and acknowledge that influential storytelling now extends across multiple formats beyond traditional screens.
Public Engagement and Awards Momentum
Public response following the nominations announcement has remained consistently strong, with audiences actively engaging across multiple platforms. Many viewers have revisited nominated films, explored performances that gained increased attention, and caught up on television series that received recognition across key categories. This renewed interest has helped elevate both high-profile contenders and lesser-known titles into broader conversation.
Films securing multiple nominations have experienced heightened visibility, as repeated recognition often encourages audiences to reassess their impact and craftsmanship. Television nominees, particularly ongoing or recently concluded series, continue to benefit from sustained weekly engagement as viewers discuss performances, storylines, and overall creative direction.
The early placement of the Golden Globes within the awards calendar plays a critical role in shaping momentum. By arriving ahead of other major ceremonies, the nominations help establish narratives that influence public perception and industry discussion throughout the remainder of awards season, keeping nominees firmly in focus as attention builds toward awards night.
What the Nominations Reveal About the Industry
This year’s nominations point to several clear trends shaping the entertainment industry. Performance-driven storytelling continues to stand at the center of awards recognition, with projects built around strong character work and emotional depth earning the highest number of major nominations. Films and series that rely on nuanced performances rather than spectacle alone are increasingly defining prestige entertainment.
Streaming platforms maintain a dominant presence across television categories, underscoring how on-demand viewing has become the primary way audiences engage with long-form storytelling. While traditional networks remain represented, streaming-first releases continue to set the pace in both creative output and audience reach.
International creators also appear more frequently across top categories, reflecting a broader embrace of global voices and storytelling styles. Their inclusion across major races signals a shift away from region-limited recognition toward a more inclusive industry standard.
Finally, the recognition of newer media formats highlights how the definition of prestige entertainment is continuing to expand. As audience habits evolve, the industry is adapting by acknowledging creative work across a wider range of platforms, reinforcing that compelling storytelling now extends well beyond traditional film and television boundaries.
Looking Toward Awards Night
As the ceremony draws closer, focus continues to sharpen on how the nomination landscape may translate on stage. Projects leading in multiple categories have become central talking points, as strong nomination totals often signal broad industry support. At the same time, performances that gained first-time or unexpected recognition are drawing increased attention from audiences revisiting nominated films and series in the weeks ahead of the event.
The introduction of newly recognized categories is also shaping conversation as the industry watches how these additions are received on awards night. Their presence reflects shifting definitions of prestige and may influence how future ceremonies evolve. Regardless of final results, the nominations have already established this year’s creative benchmarks, capturing the stories, performances, and formats that connected most strongly with audiences and defined the current entertainment landscape.
Which golden globe nominations stood out to you this year? Share your thoughts and stay connected as awards season continues to unfold.