Golden Globes 2026: Breaking Down This Year’s Nominations

Who Dominated the 2026 Golden Globe Nominations

The clear film juggernaut is One Battle After Another, with nominations for motion picture, director, screenplay, and multiple acting categories. It is the closest thing this year has to an across-the-board frontrunner. Sentimental Value, a Norwegian drama, and Ryan Coogler’s thriller Sinners are not far behind, giving the Best Motion Picture – Drama race a genuinely international feel.

In television, The White Lotus continues its awards run, leading the TV pack, now competing as a drama series. Adolescence makes its mark in the limited series race with a strong set of acting and series nods. On the performer side, Jeremy Allen White is up for both The Bear and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Jacob Elordi appears in both film and limited series categories, and Amanda Seyfried is honored for work in both TV and film, signaling versatility that awards voters love to recognize.

Snubs & Surprises

The loudest snub conversation is centered on Wicked: For Good, which missed out on a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy nomination despite being one of the biggest musical releases of the year. It also sits out the directing race, which many thought might include Jon M. Chu. Instead, the category makes room for two Richard Linklater titles and several international auteurs, shifting the spotlight away from the most obvious commercial favorite.

At the same time, there were pleasant surprises. Newcomer Eva Victor landing a Drama Actress nomination for her debut in Sorry, Baby gives the list some fresh energy. Emily Blunt’s supporting nod for The Smashing Machine and three non-English films landing in the top Drama category underline how global the Globes’ taste has become. On the TV side, newer shows like Nobody Wants This and The Studio muscling into the comedy field alongside Emmy favorites suggests voters are willing to embrace early momentum, not just long-running hits.

With snubs fueling debate and surprise nods reshaping expectations, here is a category-by-category look at the nominees and the likely winners.

Predictions for the 2026 Golden Globes

Film Categories

Motion picture – Drama

• Sinners
• It Was Just an Accident
• Sentimental Value
• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• The Secret Agent

Prediction: Sentimental Value has the best mix of critical acclaim, emotional weight, and overall nomination strength, making it the narrow favorite. Sinners is the blockbuster alternative that could upset if voters want a higher-profile American winner.

Motion picture – Musical or comedy

• One Battle After Another
• No Other Choice
• Marty Supreme
• Blue Moon
• Bugonia
• Nouvelle Vague

Prediction: This is essentially the home turf of One Battle After Another, which dominates the nomination tally and checks every box for a Globe comedy winner. Anything else would be a shock, though Marty Supreme or No Other Choice could play spoiler if voters want something slightly less expected.

Director

• 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
• Chloé Zhao – Hamnet

Prediction: Paul Thomas Anderson feels like the frontrunner, with a big, buzzy film and widespread support. If voters decide to spread the love, Ryan Coogler or Joachim Trier could benefit, but Anderson has the edge.

Performance by a male actor in a motion picture – Drama

• Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams
• Oscar Isaac – Frankenstein
• Dwayne Johnson – The Smashing Machine
• Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
• Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
• Jeremy Allen White – Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

Prediction: Michael B. Jordan stands out here as the anchor of Sinners, with both star power and strong reviews. Oscar Isaac is the likely runner-up for his work in Frankenstein, while Jeremy Allen White’s dual-year narrative makes him a wild card.

Performance by a female actor in a motion picture – Drama

• Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
• Jennifer Lawrence – Die My Love
• Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
• Tessa Thompson – Hedda
• Julia Roberts – After the Hunt
• Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby

Prediction: Jennifer Lawrence has the combination of profile, performance, and Globes history to win here, but Renate Reinsve could absolutely steal it if voters lean toward the film that seems poised for a drama sweep.

Performance by a male actor in a motion picture – Musical or comedy

• Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
• George Clooney – Jay Kelly
• Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
• Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
• Lee Byung-hun – No Other Choice
• Jesse Plemons – Bugonia

Prediction: Leonardo DiCaprio is the favorite, tied directly to the night’s most nominated film and delivering a big, showy performance. Timothée Chalamet feels like the strongest challenger if voters decide to reward a younger, transformation-heavy turn.

Performance by a female actor in a motion picture – Musical or comedy

• Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
• Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good
• Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
• Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
• Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee
• Emma Stone – Bugonia

Prediction: This is tight, but Emma Stone likely leads thanks to her reputation and the kind of eccentric role the Globes enjoy. Watch Amanda Seyfried and Cynthia Erivo as serious alternatives, especially if voters want to make up for Wicked’s broader snub.

Performance by a male actor in a supporting role in any motion picture

• Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
• Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
• Paul Mescal – Hamnet
• Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
• Adam Sandler – Jay Kelly
• Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value

Prediction: Vote splitting between Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn could open the door for Stellan Skarsgård, whose quiet work in Sentimental Value is exactly the sort of performance that benefits from a passionate base of voters.

Performance by a female actor in a supporting role in any motion picture

• Emily Blunt – The Smashing Machine
• Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
• Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
• Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
• Amy Madigan – Weapons
• Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another

Prediction: Elle Fanning seems best positioned, with a central role in a top drama contender. If the Wicked fanbase has its say, Ariana Grande could ride a wave of goodwill and sheer visibility to a win.

Screenplay

• Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
• Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
• Ryan Coogler – Sinners
• Jafar Panahi – It Was Just an Accident
• Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt – Sentimental Value
• Maggie O’Farrell & Chloé Zhao – Hamnet

Prediction: Paul Thomas Anderson is again the favorite, with Trier & Vogt as the primary competition. If the Globes decide to crown Sentimental Value somewhere major, this is one of the likeliest places.

Original score

• Alexandre Desplat – Frankenstein
• Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
• Jonny Greenwood – One Battle After Another
• Kangding Ray – Sirât
• Max Richter – Hamnet
• Hans Zimmer – F1

Prediction: The safest bet is Ludwig Göransson for Sinners, riding the film’s momentum and his recent awards streak. Hans Zimmer is never truly an underdog, but this year he feels like a close second.

Original song

• “Dream as One” – Avatar: Fire and Ash
• “Golden” – KPop Demon Hunters
• “I Lied to You” – Sinners
• “No Place Like Home” – Wicked: For Good
• “The Girl in the Bubble” – Wicked: For Good
• “Train Dreams” – Train Dreams

Prediction: Having two songs from Wicked is a blessing and a curse, but “No Place Like Home” still feels like the logical winner and a way to give the musical a marquee award. If the Wicked vote splits too hard, “I Lied to You” from Sinners becomes the likeliest beneficiary.

Motion picture – Animated

• Arco
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
• Elio
• KPop Demon Hunters
• Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
• Zootopia 2

Prediction: The default favorite is Zootopia 2, backed by brand recognition and broad appeal. If voters are in the mood to reward something fresher, KPop Demon Hunters is the most likely upset candidate.

Motion picture – Non-English language

• It Was Just an Accident
• No Other Choice
• The Secret Agent
• Sentimental Value
• Sirât
• The Voice of Hind Rajab

Prediction: Sentimental Value looks like the frontrunner again, but if voters do not want it to double up with Best Drama, It Was Just an Accident or No Other Choice could capitalize.

Cinematic and box office achievement

• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• F1
• KPop Demon Hunters
• Sinners
• Weapons
• Wicked: For Good
• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
• Zootopia 2

Prediction: This is essentially a “big movies that people saw” honor. Avatar: Fire and Ash and Sinners are the strongest contenders, with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Wicked: For Good in the mix if voters want a crowd-pleasing headline winner.

Television Categories

Television series – Drama

• The Pitt
• Severance
• The Diplomat
• Pluribus
• Slow Horses
• The White Lotus

Prediction: The White Lotus has the nomination lead and a proven Globes track record, making it the show to beat. Severance is the main challenger if voters prefer cerebral sci-fi over social satire.

Television series – Musical or comedy

• Abbott Elementary
• Hacks
• Nobody Wants This
• The Studio
• The Bear
• Only Murders in the Building

Prediction: The Bear looks poised for a big night and feels like the fresh, buzzy contender. Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building remain serious threats, especially if voters reward consistency over novelty.

Television limited series, anthology series or motion picture made for television

• Adolescence
• All Her Fault
• The Beast In Me
• Black Mirror
• Dying for Sex
• The Girlfriend

Prediction: Adolescence has the nomination count and narrative momentum to win. Black Mirror is the most recognizable brand name here and could surprise if the season’s strongest episodes really resonated with voters.

Performance by a male actor in a television series – Drama

• Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
• Diego Luna – Andor
• Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
• Mark Ruffalo – Task
• Adam Scott – Severance
• Noah Wyle – The Pitt

Prediction: Adam Scott feels like the favorite, especially if voters want to recognize Severance somewhere. Diego Luna is the likely spoiler, riding the love for Andor and a standout performance in a genre show.

Performance by a female actor in a television series – Drama

• Kathy Bates – Matlock
• Britt Lower – Severance
• Helen Mirren – MobLand
• Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
• Keri Russell – The Diplomat
• Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus

Prediction: Bella Ramsey has the strongest cultural moment after The Last of Us, making a win here feel both timely and inevitable. If voters lean toward a more traditional Globes favorite, Keri Russell is the most likely alternative.

Performance by a male actor in a television series – Musical or comedy

• Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This
• Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building
• Glen Powell – Chad Powers
• Seth Rogen – The Studio
• Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
• Jeremy Allen White – The Bear

Prediction: Jeremy Allen White is the favorite to repeat, with a show and character that are still peaking. If voters want a more “lifetime achievement in disguise” win, Steve Martin could benefit, though he and Martin Short may split the Only Murders vote.

Performance by a female actor in a television series – Musical or comedy

• Kristen Bell – Nobody Wants This
• Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
• Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
• Natasha Lyonne – Poker Face
• Jenna Ortega – Wednesday
• Jean Smart – Hacks

Prediction: Jenna Ortega has the biggest pop culture footprint here, which fits the Globes’ love of buzzy performances. Selena Gomez and Ayo Edebiri are strong alternatives if voters decide to lean into either ensemble charisma or critical darling status.

Performance by a male actor in a limited series, anthology series, or motion picture made for television

• Jacob Elordi – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
• Paul Giamatti – Black Mirror
• Stephen Graham – Adolescence
• Charlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein Story
• Jude Law – Black Rabbit
• Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me

Prediction: Matthew Rhys has the right mix of prestige and role intensity to win. Jacob Elordi is the breakout threat, especially with his double nomination narrative pushing him firmly into “it guy” territory.

Performance by a female actor in a limited series, anthology series, or motion picture made for television

• Claire Danes – The Beast in Me
• Rashida Jones – Black Mirror
• Amanda Seyfried – Long Bright River
• Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
• Michelle Williams – Dying for Sex
• Robin Wright – The Girlfriend

Prediction: Sarah Snook feels like the moment, coming off Succession and carrying another twisty role. Amanda Seyfried is a very strong second option, especially if voters are comfortable giving her a second Globe in this category so soon.

Performance by a male actor in a supporting role on television

• Owen Cooper – Adolescence
• Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
• Walton Goggins – The White Lotus
• Jason Isaacs – The White Lotus
• Tramell Tillman – Severance
• Ashley Walters – Adolescence

Prediction: With co-stars competing from both The White Lotus and Adolescence, Billy Crudup may benefit as the single standout from The Morning Show, and he has won here before. If support for The White Lotus is truly overwhelming, Walton Goggins feels like the most likely beneficiary.

Performance by a female actor in a supporting role on television

• Carrie Coon – The White Lotus
• Erin Doherty – Adolescence
• Hannah Einbinder – Hacks
• Catherine O’Hara – The Studio
• Parker Posey – The White Lotus
• Aimee Lou Wood – The White Lotus

Prediction: Vote splitting could hurt the White Lotus trio, which quietly helps Hannah Einbinder and Catherine O’Hara. Einbinder is overdue recognition for Hacks, while O’Hara is an awards favorite. Slight edge to Hannah Einbinder, with Parker Posey as the standout if White Lotus does manage to concentrate support.

Performance in stand-up comedy on television

• Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?
• Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life
• Kevin Hart: Acting My Age
• Sarah Silverman: PostMortem
• Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts
• Ricky Gervais: Mortality

Prediction: Kevin Hart feels like the most likely first-time winner for this new category, thanks to global name recognition. If voters skew more toward a critical favorite, Brett Goldstein is very much in the mix.

Podcast

• Call Her Daddy
• Good Hang With Amy Poehler
• SmartLess
• Up First
• Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
• The Mel Robbins Podcast

Prediction: SmartLess is the safest pick, combining celebrity hosts with mainstream popularity, and fits what a “Golden Globe podcast” sounds like. Armchair Expert is a close second, and Call Her Daddy is the wild card if voters decide to embrace a younger-skewing hit.

Awards night has a way of ignoring the most careful predictions, but looking at the nomination patterns, critical response, and voter tendencies, a few themes stand out: One Battle After Another and Sentimental Value are the films to beat, The White Lotus and The Bear are leading the TV conversation, and this year’s Globes feel more globally minded and genre-diverse than ever.

We will see on January 11 whether the favorites actually triumph or if the Globes deliver the kind of chaos that keeps awards season fun.

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