BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (Variety) — Monday, January 12, 2026
The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards kicked off the 2026 awards season with a night of surprises, emotional speeches, and a clear preference for epic storytelling. Chloe Zhao’s Shakespearean drama “Hamnet” and Paul Thomas Anderson’s revolutionary saga “One Battle After Another” emerged as the night’s big winners, taking home the top prizes for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, respectively.
“Hamnet,” a searing adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel, also earned Jessie Buckley the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her powerful portrayal of Agnes Hathaway. In her acceptance speech, a visibly moved Buckley thanked Zhao for her “fearless vision” and dedicated the award to “mothers everywhere who hold the world together.”
Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” a sprawling and energetic tale of a ragtag group of revolutionaries, was praised by critics for its scope and ambition. Accepting the award for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy, Anderson joked about the film’s arduous production, saying, “We didn’t think we’d survive making this movie, so to be standing here is a minor miracle.”
On the television side, the final season of Netflix’s global phenomenon “Stranger Things” took a victory lap, winning Best Television Series – Drama. The cast, many of whom grew up on the show, gave an emotional joint acceptance speech reflecting on their decade-long journey.
Other notable winners included Timothée Chalamet for his role in “Marty Supreme” and first-time winner Owen Cooper, who was named AP Breakthrough Entertainer of the Year for his role in “Adolescence.” The ceremony was hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, whose sharp monologue lampooned everything from Hollywood egos to AI in filmmaking.
