Parijat Ghosh 
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026 were supposed to be predictable. A few big titles had buzz, a few actors were favorite picks, and pundits were quietly confident certain films and shows would sweep. But instead, the Globes leaned into surprises that made people gasp, cheer, and scroll Twitter way faster than usual. The evening was hosted by Nikki Glaser, who returned for a second year and set a tone that was equal parts irreverent and pointed. Her opening monologue mixed typical Hollywood jokes with unexpected jabs that landed everywhere from casting choices to public opinion online. She was this close to completely humiliating Leo (Iykyk). Laughs, drama, wins, and snubs. So much to uncover.
Drama Awards That Defied the Narrative
Let’s start with Hamnet, a period drama adapted from a beloved novel. It went into the night as respected but not dominant. Then it walked out with Best Motion Picture – Drama, outsprinting films that had bigger awards campaigns and more mainstream buzz. Jessie Buckley’s performance in that film earned a Globe too, and while critics loved her, many expected other dramatic lead performances to edge ahead. Instead voters made a subtle, emotional choice, rewarding depth over drama spectacle.
Even more unexpected was Wagner Moura winning Best Actor in a Drama for The Secret Agent. A win like this traditionally goes to Hollywood heavy hitters or festival favorites, but Moura’s powerful work took the spotlight and pushed other big names out of the race.
Comedy, Surprise Champion
On the lighter side, One Battle After Another absolutely dominated in categories that didn’t necessarily look set to be its territory. It scooped up awards for direction and screenplay alongside Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, a rare sweep for a film that wasn’t pegged as the early frontrunner in those slots.
In acting, Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor: Comedy for Marty Supreme, beating out heavier star power and media favorites. And Rose Byrne’s win for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You felt like a fresh, buzzy pick rather than Hollywood’s usual comfort choice.
TV Side: Old Favorites Took a Back Seat
Television was just as unpredictable. Shows widely considered favorites didn’t dominate. Instead, series like The Pitt and The Studio landed wins that shifted the narrative of the night. One of the most striking moments came with Rhea Seehorn winning Best Actress in a TV Drama for Pluribus, a sci-fi show that few saw as the year’s defining prestige pick. Her victory over more conventional drama felt like a genuine breath of fresh air.
Adding to the vibe, the Globes even introduced a podcast category, showing a willingness to recognize media beyond film and TV in ways traditional awards rarely do.
The Snubs That Actually Stung Industry and Fans
Sometimes, what does not get an award matters more than what does. This year had some shockingly quiet omissions that left fans and insiders talking. Wicked: For Good, the musical phenomenon of the year, walked away with nothing. Despite five nominations and major box office success, it failed to convert any into wins, a real surprise given the Globes’ history of embracing crowd-pleasing musicals.
Frankenstein was another big film that left empty handed. With strong buzz and big performances, many expected at least one Globe, but it didn’t land a single major win. That kind of blank slate is rare for films with its profile. And then there was Sinners. This Ryan Coogler film was seen as a major contender all season long, yet it left without wins in categories where people assumed it would perform well, like screenplay and director. It only took home awards that many viewers felt deserved wider live recognition, such as Best Original Score, which wasn’t even on the broadcast.
From a buzz standpoint, these omissions weren’t just upswept moments. They were genuine snubs: films beloved by critics and audiences that didn’t get voter love where it was expected.
TV Snubs That Felt Personal
On the television side, established favorites also took a hit. Shows like Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building, both adored year after year, didn’t secure the awards many thought they would. The lack of wins for either was a noticeable absence on the night’s winners’ stage. Even globally popular phenomena like Stranger Things, which was entering its final season, went without Globe noms entirely — a snub that ignited plenty of social media grief.
The Golden Globes 2026 delivered a results slate that diverged from many pre-show expectations. Several films and television series converted modest buzz into major wins, while others with strong nomination counts did not secure awards. Taken together, the ceremony reflected a voting outcome shaped less by consensus predictions and more by selective recognition across genres, formats, and performances. The results now stand as part of the official awards record for the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, setting an early benchmark for how this season unfolded across film and television.
