Golden Globes 2026: Highlights from the best films and shows

If you’re developing new films, TV series, or premium branded content, the Golden Globes 2026 offer real-world inspiration from performance authenticity to bold production choices.

The Golden Globe Awards weren’t just about trophies—they spotlighted how stories are being told right now and why certain films and shows are breaking through.

At Voice123, our team has worked with thousands of producers, filmmakers, and casting directors, helping them find the right talent for their projects. So, during the 2026 awards season, we’ll take an in-depth look at the best films and shows and what you can learn from them. 

What are the Golden Globes 2026?

The Golden Globes 2026, which aired on Jan 11th, 2026, are an annual awards ceremony honoring the best in film, television, and now podcasts, voted on by entertainment journalists. Unlike other awards shows like the Emmys and the Oscars, the Golden Globes categories include both movies and TV, making them especially relevant for modern filmmakers. 

The Golden Globe nominations also set the tone for the awards season, and in 2026, the ceremony focused on realism, performance-driven storytelling, and global voices and performances. 

Golden Globes Nominees 2026: 

Golden Globes 2026 nominees for film:

• Hamnet
  
• Sinners
  
• One Battle After Another
  
• Marty Supreme
  
• Frankenstein
  
• The Secret Agent
  
• Sentimental Value
  
• KPop Demon Hunters
  

Best Actor/Actress Golden Globe nominations 

• Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
  
• Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
  
• Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
  
• Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
  
• Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
  
• Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
  

TV nominees

• The Pitt
  
• Adolescence
  
• The Studio
  
• Severance
  
• The White Lotus
  

Golden Globes Winners 2026

Golden Globes Winners in Films:

• Best Motion Picture – Drama: Hamnet
  
• Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: One Battle After Another
  
• Best Animated Motion Picture: KPop Demon Hunters
  
• Cinematic and Box Office Achievement: Sinners
  
• Golden Globes Best Actress (Drama): Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
  
• Golden Globes Best Actor (Drama): Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)
  
• Golden Globes Best Actress (Comedy): Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
  
• Golden Globes Best Actor (Comedy): Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
  
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
  
• Best Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
  
• Best Original Score: Ludwig Göransson (Sinners)
  
• Best Original Song: “Golden” (KPop Demon Hunters)
  

TV Shows:

• Best Television Series – Drama: The Pitt
  
• Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy: The Studio
  
• Best Limited Series: Adolescence
  
• Best Actress – Drama: Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus)
  
• Best Actor – Drama: Noah Wyle (The Pitt)
  
• Best Actress – Musical or Comedy: Jean Smart (Hacks)
  
• Best Actor – Musical or Comedy: Seth Rogen (The Studio)
  
• Best Actress – Limited Series: Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex)
  
• Best Actor – Limited Series: Stephen Graham (Adolescence)
  
• Best Supporting Actress (Television): Erin Doherty (Adolescence)
  
• Best Supporting Actor (Television): Owen Cooper (Adolescence)
  
• Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance: Ricky Gervais (Mortality)
  

Podcasts:

• Golden Globes Best Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
  

The addition of podcasts to the Golden Globes categories alongside film and TV highlights how the awards continue to evolve with audience behavior—recognizing that compelling storytelling is no longer limited to box office blockbusters or cinemas. 

What can you learn from the Golden Globes 2026?

Preparation adds instant credibility 

One of the clearest lessons from the Golden Globes winners comes from The Pitt, an innovative medical drama that follows the events of a trauma center during a single 15-hour shift. The production committed fully to authenticity by putting its actors through a two-week medical boot camp and filming scenes inside a real Pittsburgh hospital. 

When actors are prepared, and environments are real, the audience believes the story without being asked to.

Creative filming improves performances

Netflix’s Adolescence had 66.3 million views in the first two weeks, setting a record for a limited series. The creators made a bold production choice to film the four episodes in a single continuous take, with no cuts or retakes. The result was a raw, immersive experience that pulled viewers straight into the story. 

This reinforces the idea that innovative constraints can actually enhance performance when used creatively to create emotional impact. 

Long-term skill-building creates authenticity

Timothée Chalamet played a ping pong champion in the film Marty Supreme, and his Golden Globes Best Actor win was the result of years of preparation. Chalamet began learning table tennis in 2018, well before filming commenced. The physical authenticity supported the challenging anti-hero role, marking a shift in his career. 

The lesson? Real skill acquisition creates performances that feel effortless and credible.

Detail-driven worlds enhance emotional truth

Hamnet proved that production detail is a major part of storytelling. Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon was recreated in the village of Weobley, chosen for its preserved Tudor-era architecture. Real-life brothers were also cast in the film’s final stage sequence to deepen its emotional impact. 

This is a reminder that the more intentional the details, the stronger and more lasting the audience response.

Cultural specificity can drive global success 

KPop Demon Hunters showed how culturally grounded stories can travel worldwide. Inspired by real K-pop groups and rooted in authentic Korean culture, the film paired music-driven storytelling with English voice performances to reach a global audience. 

When it comes to international content, cultural identity and accessibility can enhance each other when the voice, music, and story align.

Use technology to support performances

Sinners showed how technical ambition can elevate storytelling when it’s built around performance. By combining Ultra Panavision with IMAX 70mm and using multi-camera rigs, the production was able to capture Michael B. Jordan’s dual role as twin brothers more effectively. 

When filmmaking hacks and technology support the actors, it improves the storytelling and production process. 

The role of voice overs and acting in the Golden Globes 2026

Great performances remain the backbone of powerful storytelling, and the Golden Globes 2026 reinforced how much audiences value preparation they can feel. When performers fully inhabit a role, the audience starts believing the story.

Technically demanding performances also stood out, demonstrating that technology is most effective when it supports the actor. Golden Globe nominations like Sinners used advanced production techniques to capture emotion and enhance the visual effects. 

Voice overs were also highlighted at the Golden Globe Awards, particularly through KPop Demon Hunters and the introduction of the Golden Globes best podcast category. In audio content, strong casting and emotional delivery turn sound into characters, which is why many creators rely on trusted voice over networks like Voice123 to bring stories fully to life.

Final Thoughts

The Golden Globes 2026 rewarded preparation, risk, and authenticity across film, television, and audio. For AV directors and producers, the takeaway is clear: audiences can hear and feel the difference when performances are real.

Whether you’re developing a film, a series, an animated project, or a podcast, great storytelling starts with great performances. When you’re ready to cast voices that connect emotionally and globally, visit Voice123 to hire a professional voice actor or use Voice123 Enterprise for an A-Z project management solution. 

FAQs: Golden Globes 2026