The Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Moments of the 2026 Golden Globes

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The Golden Globes are back for their 83rd year, officially starting the 2026 awards season. Nikki Glaser is returning as host after a well-received debut, but this year’s show features some changes. In addition to celebrating the best in movies and TV, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is now recognizing podcasts, reflecting their increasing popularity. The organization also presented two lifetime achievement awards—the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Helen Mirren and the Carol Burnett Award to Sarah Jessica Parker—at a special event called “Golden Eve” held the night before the main ceremony.

Even though they moved Dame Helen Mirren’s celebration to the night before, the Beverly Hilton was still filled with stars for the main awards show. Nominees like Michael B. Jordan (for Sinners), Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), and Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) were there, along with presenters including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Miley Cyrus, Charli XCX, Orlando Bloom, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Zoë Kravitz. Kravitz even made a playful reference to her past Golden Globes moment while discussing her Best TV Series nomination for The Studio, alongside her co-star Dave Franco. Adding to the excitement, rising hockey stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams from Heated Rivalry were also in attendance, ready to enjoy all the hockey-related jokes.

This year, the Critics’ Choice Awards were held before the Golden Globes, offering an early look at which films and actors critics favored. One Battle After Another was named best picture, with Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley winning the lead acting awards. Amy Madigan received the award for best supporting actress for her role in Weapons, and Jacob Elordi won best supporting actor for Frankenstein.

So, everyone’s wondering if the Golden Globes are heading down the same path as some other awards shows. I’m as curious as anyone! Let me break down for you what really stood out at the 2026 Globes – the films and actors that killed it, the picks that raised an eyebrow, and, of course, the biggest snubs.

Most controversial editing award

Nikki Glaser hosted the Golden Globes, jokingly calling it “the most important thing happening in the world right now.” She playfully acknowledged the famous attendees, calling the guest list “heavily redacted,” and made a humorous jab about the Justice Department deserving an award for editing – likely referencing current events.

Most honest joke

During a conversation, Jennifer Glaser jokingly pointed out Leonardo DiCaprio’s tendency to date younger women, a common observation about his relationships. She quickly apologized, explaining she doesn’t know much about him personally and playfully urged him to share more. She added that his last known interview was decades ago, in the ’90s magazine Teen Beat, where he revealed his love for pasta. (For a current interview, you can find TIME magazine’s recent profile of DiCaprio!)

Second most honest joke

As she finished speaking, Glaser playfully encouraged everyone to continue with their work. She joked, “Guillermo Del Toro, keep making your strange, fantastical movies!” and then turned to James Cameron, saying, “James Cameron, keep making those same kinds of movies!” She went on to say to Steve Martin and Martin Short, “And you two, keep showing us that in Hollywood, there’s no age limit on needing to earn a living.”

Biggest hint of things to come?

Teyana Taylor’s win for Best Supporting Actress for One Battle After Another felt like a promising sign for the film, which had received many nominations. In a moving acceptance speech, she encouraged “my brown sisters and little brown girls” to embrace their strength, saying their kindness isn’t a weakness and they deserve to be in any space they enter. Taylor also had the honor of delivering the first censored moment of the show, joking that she hadn’t prepared a speech because she didn’t expect to win – a classic award show sentiment that felt genuine coming from a first-time nominee.

Teyana Taylor delivered a truly inspiring speech at the Golden Globes. She powerfully encouraged young women of color, saying their sensitivity is a strength, their complexity is valuable, and they deserve to shine without needing anyone’s approval. She emphasized that they belong in all spaces.

— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 12, 2026

Most Hollywood speech (so far)

Stellan Skarsgård won Best Supporting Actor for Sentimental Value and joked that he wouldn’t list every person involved in the film, but he did thank his wife and children, playfully acknowledging they taught him how to be a “bad father.” He finished by urging everyone to watch movies in theaters.

Best conspiracy fodder

During the award ceremony, Priyanka Chopra-Jones mentioned the Pittsburgh Steelers just before Noah Wyle, star of the show The Pitt (set in Pittsburgh), won an award. The timing was quite a moment, and fans on Reddit are having fun with the coincidence!

Third most honest joke

Jean Smart accepted her third award for Hacks with a playful and blunt statement: “What can I say? I’m a greedy bitch.” She explained she’d already spoken at length on the red carpet and didn’t want to repeat herself. For those who didn’t see the pre-show coverage, she had expressed her worries about the future of the United States, and it’s worth looking up to hear her thoughts.

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2026-01-12 05:06