Quick Read
- The 2026 Golden Globe nominations were announced December 8, featuring 28 categories.
- For the first time, podcasts are included as a major award category.
- Nikki Glaser returns as host for the January 11 ceremony, airing on CBS and Paramount+.
- Major contenders include ‘One Battle After Another,’ ‘Sentimental Value,’ ‘Frankenstein,’ and TV favorites ‘Severance’ and ‘The Bear.’
- Both industry veterans and newcomers are featured across film, TV, and podcast categories.
Golden Globe Nominations 2026: The Big Reveal and What It Means for Hollywood
- Quick Read
- The 2026 Golden Globe nominations were announced December 8, featuring 28 categories.
- For the first time, podcasts are included as a major award category.
- Nikki Glaser returns as host for the January 11 ceremony, which will air on CBS and Paramount+.
- Major contenders include “One Battle After Another,” “Sentimental Value,” “Frankenstein,” and TV favorites “Severance” and “The Bear.”
- The list includes both industry veterans and newcomers across film, TV, and podcasting.
Hollywood’s Morning of Surprises: Who Made the Cut?
Awards season always brings a mix of anticipation and nerves, but this year’s Golden Globe nominations pushed the envelope further. On December 8, actors Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall stepped onto the CBSNews.com stage, unveiling nominees in 28 categories that span film, television, and, for the first time, podcasts (Vulture, NBC Los Angeles). The announcement, split between a digital live stream and CBS Mornings, packed enough drama to set social media buzzing by breakfast.
The big news? Podcasts now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the glitz of Hollywood’s finest, a move signaling the Globes’ recognition of how storytelling is evolving. With only 25 eligible podcasts vying for a spot, the competition is as fierce as any film or TV category. Conservative podcasters like Ben Shapiro have campaigned hard, and whoever nabs a nomination will join the ranks at Hollywood’s most unpredictable party.
Film: Newcomers and Legends Compete for the Spotlight
The Best Motion Picture categories remain the heart of the show, with dramas like “It Was Just an Accident,” “No Other Choice,” “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value,” “Sirāt,” and “The Voice of Hind Rajab” leading the charge. On the musical or comedy side, nominees are equally varied, reflecting a year where genre boundaries blurred and innovation was rewarded.
Animation fans have plenty to cheer about, with “Arco,” “Demon Slayer,” “Elio,” “KPop Demon Hunters,” “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” and “Zootopia 2” all securing nods. The foreign language category, always a window into global storytelling, highlights titles from across continents, showing the Globes’ continued commitment to international cinema.
Directorial talent is front and center: Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”), Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”), Guillermo Del Toro (“Frankenstein”), Jafar Panahi (“It Was Just an Accident”), Joachim Trier (“Sentimental Value”), and Chloe Zhao (“Hamnet”) are all recognized for their distinctive visions. Each brings a unique style, from Anderson’s kinetic storytelling to Zhao’s poetic realism.
Screenplay nominations echo these films, with “One Battle After Another,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sinners,” “It Was Just an Accident,” “Sentimental Value,” and “Hamnet” earning spots. The emphasis on strong writing underscores the industry’s focus on narrative depth in 2025.
Musical scores and songs add another layer to the competition. Alexandre Desplat (“Frankenstein”), Ludwig Göransson (“Sinners”), and Jonny Greenwood (“One Battle After Another,” “Sirāt,” “Hamnet”) are among the composers shaping the soundscape of contemporary cinema. Standout original songs, such as “Dream As One” (“Avatar: Fire and Ash”) and “Golden” (“KPop Demon Hunters”), highlight the emotional resonance music brings to storytelling.
Television: Familiar Faces and Fresh Stories
On the television side, drama series like “The Diplomat,” “The Pitt,” “Pluribus,” “Severance,” “Slow Horses,” and “The White Lotus” dominate the nominations. Comedy contenders such as “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Hacks,” “Nobody Wants This,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and “The Studio” reflect the breadth of humor and creativity on the small screen.
Limited series and TV movies, including “Adolescence,” “All Her Fault,” “The Beast in Me,” “Black Mirror,” “Dying for Sex,” and “The Girlfriend,” round out the top categories. The diversity here shows a willingness to explore complex themes—from crime and betrayal to personal growth and redemption.
Acting nominations are a blend of household names and breakout stars. For Best Actor in a Drama, Sterling K. Brown (“Paradise”), Diego Luna (“Andor”), Gary Oldman (“Slow Horses”), Mark Ruffalo (“Task”), Adam Scott (“Severance”), and Noah Wyle (“The Pitt”) compete for the trophy. The Best Actress field includes Kathy Bates (“Matlock”), Britt Lower (“Severance”), Helen Mirren (“Mobland”), Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”), Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”), and Rhea Seehorn (“Pluribus”) (BBC).
Comedy and limited series categories are equally competitive. Adam Brody, Steve Martin, Glen Powell, Seth Rogen, Martin Short, and Jeremy Allen White vie for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. On the actress side, Kristen Bell (“Nobody Wants This”), Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”), Selena Gomez (“Only Murders in the Building”), Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”), Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”), and Jean Smart (“Hacks”) are all recognized for their comedic timing and depth.
Supporting roles in both film and TV feature standouts: Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, Sean Penn, Adam Sandler, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Blunt, Elle Fanning, Ariana Grande, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, and Teyana Taylor. In television, Owen Cooper, Billy Crudup, Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Tramell Tillman, Ashley Walters, Carrie Coon, Erin Doherty, Hannah Einbinder, Catherine O’Hara, Parker Posey, and Aimee Lou Wood round out the nominations, each bringing nuance to supporting performances.
Podcasts: The New Frontier in Storytelling
The inclusion of a Best Podcast category is more than a nod to digital media—it’s a signal that the Globes recognize the power of audio storytelling. With only 25 podcasts eligible, and some hosts actively campaigning, the category is both exclusive and fiercely contested. Whoever wins will make history, sitting alongside film and TV’s brightest stars on the big night.
Stand-up comedy also gets its due, with a category for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on TV. The Carol Burnett Award and the Cecil B. DeMille Award continue to honor lifetime achievement, reminding audiences of the Globes’ deep ties to entertainment history.
What to Expect on January 11, 2026
Nikki Glaser returns to host the 83rd Annual Golden Globes, promising sharp wit and a party atmosphere. The event, airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, will bring together veterans, rising stars, and for the first time, podcast creators. With the list of nominees now public, the weeks ahead will be filled with speculation, analysis, and plenty of debate.
The Globes, as ever, are a snapshot of the industry’s mood—what stories matter, who’s pushing boundaries, and which formats are capturing hearts and minds. Whether you’re a fan of prestige drama, animated adventures, or the intimacy of podcasts, 2026’s nominations reflect a year of bold creativity and shifting cultural tides.
This year’s Golden Globe nominations reflect not just the evolving landscape of entertainment, but a willingness to honor innovation alongside tradition. By recognizing podcasts and stand-up comedy, and by showcasing a diverse mix of films and series, the Globes signal that Hollywood is ready to embrace new voices and formats—without losing sight of the artistry and legacy that define its past.