The Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Moments of the 2026 Golden Globes Melissa LockerJanuary 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM 173 The 83rd annual Golden Globes took place Sunday night, kicking off the 2026 awards season in earnest. While comedian Nikki Glaser returned after a successful first year hosting, this year the Globes shook things up a bit. Not only did the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announce their picks for the best in television and film, but they added podcasting to the mix, acknowledging the major growth of that medium.
- - The Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Moments of the 2026 Golden Globes
Melissa LockerJanuary 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM
173
The 83rd annual Golden Globes took place Sunday night, kicking off the 2026 awards season in earnest. While comedian Nikki Glaser returned after a successful first year hosting, this year the Globes shook things up a bit. Not only did the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) announce their picks for the best in television and film, but they added podcasting to the mix, acknowledging the major growth of that medium. They also handed out two big awards the night before the big show in a separate ceremony. During a new annual primetime special aptly named "Golden Eve," the HFPA honored Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker, with the Cecil B. DeMille and Carol Burnett awards, respectively.
Despite punting Dame Helen Mirren to the night before, the Beverly Hilton hotel was still packed with stars for the main event. In addition to nominees like Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), and Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), presenters included George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Miley Cyrus, Charli XCX, Orlando Bloom, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Queen Latifah, Regina Hall, and Zoë Kravitz. (Who, of course, referenced her Golden Globes episode in Best TV Series nominee The Studio alongside costar Dave Franco.) Even more exciting, Heated Rivalry breakouts Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams were on hand for all hockey jokes.
One Battle After Another emerged as awards' season's movie frontrunner with four awards, while Adolescence came out on top for television with the same number. Top acting awards were spread among many films, including The Secret Agent (Wagner Moura), Hamnet (Jessie Buckley), Sentimental Value (Stellan Skarsgard) and Marty Supreme (Timothée Chalamet), while TV winners included Pluribus' Rhea Seehorn, The Studio's Seth Rogen, and The Pitt's Noah Wyle.
Here are the standouts, surprises, and snubs from the 2026 Golden Globes:
Most controversial editing award
Nikki Glaser returned to host the Golden Globes, which she called "without a doubt the most important thing happening in the world right now." Glaser's monologue shouted out the roomful of A-Listers, as in "a list that has been heavily redacted," she quipped, before adding: "The Golden Globe for best editing goes to …the Justice Department!"
Most honest jokeRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EJtZX9W6WAjiN7IDiEVNrw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/40800afd4fbbc3b16caab1ea12a89b07>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/6ldy9o3 class=caas-img>Host Nikki Glaser on stage at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards.Rich Polk—Getty Images
Glaser teased Leonardo DiCaprio about dating much younger women, which is a frequent jest made about the dating life of the One Battle After Another star. She then apologized, saying she was sorry she made that joke, but "we don't know anything else about you! Open up, man!" She went on to note that his most recent interview was in Teen Beat in the '90s, when he said his favorite food was pasta. (For a much more recent one, read TIME's Entertainer of the Year profile of DiCaprio!)
Second most honest joke
While wrapping up her monologue, Glaser asked everyone to keep doing what they were doing. "Guillermo Del Toro, keep making weird monster sex movies. James Cameron, keep making weird monster sex movies." She continued: "Steve Martin and Martin Short, keep proving to us that in this industry, you are never ever too old to still need money."
Biggest hint of things to come?
When Teyana Taylor took home the award for Best Female Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, it seemed like a sign of good, big things to come for the much nominated film. Taylor's heartfelt speech ended by speaking directly to "my brown sisters and little brown girls watching tonight, our softness is not a liability...we belong in every room we walk into." Taylor also earned the distinction of the first bleep of the awards show. She claimed she almost didn't write a speech because she didn't think she would win. It's one of the oldest lines in award shows, but it seemed authentic coming from the first-time nominee.
Teyana Taylor just gave the best speech of the entire award season at the Golden Globes"To my brown sisters and little brown girls nominated tonight, our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room… pic.twitter.com/LeWdDFA3Yr
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 12, 2026
Most Hollywood speech (so far)
Stellan Skarsgård took the title for Best Supporting Actor for Sentimental Value and announced that he would not spend "the next six minutes thanking everyone in the credits," but did thank his wife and children, who he quipped helped him learn what "a bad father is." He ended his speech by preaching to the gathered choir that "cinema should be seen in cinemas."
Best conspiracy fodder
When The White Lotus star and Blackpink icon Lalisa Manobal and Priyanka Chopra-Jones came out to announce the winner of Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama, Chopra-Jones gave a shout-out to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then Noah Wyle, the star of The Pitt, which is set in Pittsburgh, won the award. Take it from here, Reddit!
Rich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.4anGp6I.pV7uNYVvU8i8A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/826f2431938222508fa4dcc12f135680>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/OPYEaQG class=caas-img>Noah Wyle at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California on Jan. 11, 2026.Rich Polk—Getty ImagesThird most honest joke
When Jean Smart came to collect her third award for her work on Hacks she simply said, "What can I say? I'm a greedy bitch." In her short speech, Smart said that she already went on "a rant" on the red carpet and didn't need to repeat herself. Anyone who didn't watch the pre-awards show coverage had to Google it. While it's worth the effort, the short version is that Smart shared her concerns about the direction in which the United States is headed.
"Ugh. What can I say? I'm a greedy bitch!"—Jean Smart accepting her third Golden Globe for Hacks pic.twitter.com/S9J3a8jDgu
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 12, 2026
Best investment in the future
Owen Cooper, the young star of Adolescence, noted that going to drama class was a challenge: "I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing, but I got through it." Seems like those lessons have paid off for the youngster as he's not only now a Golden Globe (and Emmy) winner, but he's also about to star as young Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.
Most cinema vérité moment
In his show The Studio, there is an episode where Seth Rogen's character is desperate to be thanked on stage at the Golden Globes. Hard to imagine what his character would do if he actually won an award himself, like Rogen just did for his acting work on the show. Rogen recognized the meta-ness of it all, joking: "I thought the only way I would get to hold [a Golden Globe was] to create a whole show where I get to give myself a fake one."
Most unsurprising bleepRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5RJS9iuw21UwSR6D6zPTSw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/84cd7bdbbc1d21aa29d4a1f4cc006b90>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/sCTLe6O class=caas-img>Amy Poehler and Snoop Dogg at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.Rich Polk—Getty Images
In their infinite wisdom, the Golden Globes invited Snoop Dogg to present the Best Podcast award. Naturally, his speech was bleeped, and he shrugged, "You all kept me here too long." He then announced the award. "Shout out to all the podcasters, you're all winners," said Snoop, "but the real winner is …Good Hang with Amy Poehler."
Silliest burn
Accepting her statuette as the first ever winner in the Globes' podcasting category, for Good Hang With Amy Poehler, Poehler thanked her fellow nominees, which were mostly celeb-hosted chat shows. "I'm a big fan of all of you, except NPR. Just a bunch of celebs phoning it in. Try harder," Poehler joked. The former Globes host had a lot of good quips, but emphasized the heart behind what her show aims to do: "Laughing with people, not at them."
Most heartwarming speechRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/huetRhoB0HAN4LOysJtqJw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/350a02fe3a387bb15a9524ae9580b5eb>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/7t0JRzW class=caas-img>Lee Hee-joon, Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick accept the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.Rich Polk—Getty Images
The audience probably wasn't expecting to tear up when "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters was announced as best song. But singer and songwriter Ejae, who sings for Rumi in the film in addition to writing many of the songs on the soundtrack, gave a tearjerking, tear-filled speech. She explained that though she was turned down after many years of training to be a K-pop idol, now she's thriving as a singer and a songwriter, quoting her own song: "It's never too late to shine like you're born to be."
Best admission
Paul Thomas Anderson took the prize for Best Screenplay for One Battle After Another, and in his speech he admitted that as a writer he is also "a magpie" who stole words from others. He went on to thank his "victims," who including Nina Simone, Thomas Pynchon, and "everyone he magpie-d off of" while writing the script.
Best excuse for missing your wife's first winRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ehkDB_2Ggt51.OKTxYo1Bw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/fc7300cfdce081962b71f38db4264fe4>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/hiLBqcn class=caas-img>Rose Byrne at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.Rich Polk—Getty Images
Rose Byrne won a Globe for her work in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, which is not exactly a comedy or a musical, but that's perhaps beside the point given her accomplished performance. In her acceptance speech, she thanked her husband and fellow actor Bobby Cannavale, who couldn't join her at the show but had a great excuse for not being there. "We're getting a bearded dragon and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey," she explained.
Biggest missed entrepreneurial opportunityMarty Supreme.Kevork Djansezian—CBS/Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/riScXUyd3P9Ag_Y9QGdJng--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/26edbe6beb7321b5c0a188beeb2593ac>Marty Supreme.Kevork Djansezian—CBS/Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/r2tVFwH class=caas-img>Timothée Chalamet, winner of the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Award for Marty Supreme.Kevork Djansezian—CBS/Getty Images
Timothée Chalamet thanked Kevin O'Leary, his costar in Marty Supreme who rose to fame on Shark Tank, in his acceptance speech for his lead acting work in Josh Safdie's table tennis drama. However, Chalamet didn't take the opportunity to pitch O'Leary any brilliant business ideas while he had the spotlight. Seize the moment, Chalamet!
Most star-struck Queen Latifah moment
Stephen Graham took home the top acting prize for his work in Adolescence and got momentarily starstruck on the stage. He stopped his speech to say, "Wow, Queen Latifah," proving stars are occasionally just like us civilians.
Rich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K7O5ILYWVzWtLUgOuOHboQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/a9f4798b69899970aded95b286232d3f>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/1IDTwv2 class=caas-img>Stephen Graham at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.Rich Polk—Getty ImagesSecond best excuse for not showing up
Michelle Williams won for her lead performance in the miniseries Dying for Sex. However, she couldn't be there to accept her acting award because she was acting on the other side of the country, specifically on stage in Anna Christie at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn.
Most making the most of the momentRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/65tEY1opy.lFIfNYMUo5KQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/8eb0b606c0783351eed5e435bae69e58>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/mbS1FzR class=caas-img>Judd Apatow hands the Best Director award to Paul Thomas Anderson.Rich Polk—Getty Images
Judd Apatow was on hand to present the award for Best Director and used his time on stage to not only reveal that Nikki Glaser used to babysit his kids, but also that he has been boycotting the Globes since his film Trainwreck was beaten by "noted comedy director" Ridley Scott for noted non-comedy The Martian. Apatow also noted that no one seemed to notice his boycott. He then gave the award to Paul Thomas Anderson.
Longest walk
When Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language went to Brazil's entry The Secret Agent, the cast and crew had to walk all the way from the back of the ballroom. Perhaps the folks making the seating chart also thought Sentimental Value would win. There's no mercy, either, because even after that long walk, director Kleber Mendonça Filho got played off mid-speech.
Rich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/EQj0v2l8_BNvc2_BPffZwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/6a4a43267e1ae42386287190e729a4a3>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/20EgGHD class=caas-img>Fred Burle, Wagner Moura, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Gabriel Leone, Alice Carvalho, Emilie Lesclaux, Minnie Driver, Orlando Bloom at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. Rich Polk—Getty ImagesWorst bleeping
When Adolescence supporting actor winner Erin Doherty took the stage, the person in charge of the bleeping let a big f-bomb slip onto the air. The bleep was very long, though, so it's unclear what they actually did manage to bleep out. Doherty kept it real by thanking therapists everywhere. Though she didn't thank the Heated Rivalry co-stars who gave her the award after they thanked all the "moms" and "daughters" who watched their show.
Best slow burn
Ricky Gervais would "like to thank God and the trans community," at least according to Wanda Sykes, who had to accept the Best Stand-Up Award on his behalf, after just telling the audience that she loved Gervais for not being there. Gervais is an outspoken atheist and has drawn criticism for his comments on trans people. He has also hosted the Globes five times.
Ricky Gervais has won the Golden Globe for Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance.Gervais was not in attendance, so Wanda Sykes accepted on his behalf and thanked "God and the trans community"pic.twitter.com/0290I5d7zH
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) January 12, 2026
Second Queen Latifah momentRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XE5jN2FSC1v6K3Fm1cDvlw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/d96cac8d9d94cc470b65f2e4777c7ef6>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/Kd3yYkB class=caas-img>Rhea Seehorn, Dakota Fanning, an Queen Latifah at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.Rich Polk—Getty Images
Pluribus star Rhea Seehorn accepted her acting award for a TV drama, seemingly in shock (even though she was the frontrunner and just won the Critics Choice award last week). She charmingly got on stage and told presenter Queen Latifah that she met her 20 years ago while she was between jobs and she was so nice. Seehorn also admitted that her speech included a reminder note to "get beta blocker prescription," which she didn't.
Best full-circle moment
On his way to the stage to help collect the award for Best Television Series—Drama for The Pitt, Noah Wyle gave George Clooney a quick embrace, giving fans the ever so brief ER reunion of their dreams.
GEORGE CLOONEY AND NOAH WYLE AT THE #GoldenGlobes2026 pic.twitter.com/0yjtfBNnP0
— nitsi | in the pitt of succession | s2 spoilers! (@hosseinisgeckos) January 12, 2026
Best clarification regarding the flattening of visual media
"Television is what you watch on a laptop and movies are what you watch on TV," explained TV and film star Ayo Edebiri before handing out yet another award to Adolescence, this time for best limited series.
Another missed opportunity
Adam Scott kind of got to give himself an award when he announced that The Studio won Best Television Series—Comedy. Star Seth Rogen got on stage and pointed out that Scott had appeared on the show. Rogen then proceeded to thank craft services and the caterer, but not Sal Saperstein.
Best joke of the night
Nikki Glaser's most subtly funny joke may have been when she announced the presenters for Best Actress—Drama as the team who led the Portland Trail Blazers to victory and then brought out Ana de Armas and Chris Pine. The prize went to Jessie Buckley for her incredible, searing work in Hamnet (and helping the Blazers secure their 2026 wins).
New superstar alertRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eAzCSwgdm7tvKU7ADEfVgg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/54f37dc0a6c38c66ea4fd0fb7de4f27a>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/MasLHx0 class=caas-img>Wagner Moura wins Best Actor in a Drama at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.Rich Polk—Getty Images
While Wagner Moura is a star in Brazil, he is perhaps best known to audiences in the U.S. for his portrayal of Pablo Escobar in Netflix's Narcos. That will undoubtedly change now that he has won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama, for The Secret Agent, after winning Best Actor when the movie debuted last year at Cannes.
Realest talk
Before Julia Roberts announced the winner for Best Motion Picture—Comedy, she reminded the audience that she just lost, as did Eva Victor for her lovely performance in Sorry Baby. It was a sweet moment, especially given that Roberts used her star power to support a first-time filmmaker like Victor. Then Roberts announced that One Battle After Another had taken the top prize.
Most honest reactionRich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/E6Yzroio.JghuDEE5bFuWg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/91974962dbc7e20e44bb611b27253c33>Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/sFt6VOy class=caas-img>Chloé Zhao (center) accepts the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama.Rich Polk—Getty Images
When George Clooney and his Ocean's Eleven co-star Don Cheadle announced that Hamnet was taking the prize for Best Motion Picture—Drama, the camera cut to the film's table. While producer Steven Spielberg and the film's stars look shocked, director Chloe Zhao looked absolutely floored and you know it's real, because she's a director, not an actor.
Most heartfelt final tributeSpinal Tap hat at the end of the Golden Globes ceremony.Rich Polk—Getty Images" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NBe2LOQo6YhUNL3lTZPXRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/aol_time_773/48cb97fbf387ce94dd7bebc074f4f722>Spinal Tap hat at the end of the Golden Globes ceremony.Rich Polk—Getty Images" src=https://ift.tt/fELntaX class=caas-img>Glaser sports a Spinal Tap hat at the end of the Golden Globes ceremony.Rich Polk—Getty Images
As she bade her audience farewell, Glaser sported a Spinal Tap baseball cap and spoke her closing remarks: "This one went to 11." The quote from the 1984 movie honors Rob Reiner, who Hollywood and movie lovers continue to mourn since his death in December alongside his wife Michele Singer Reiner.
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Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 12, 2026 at 05:36PM on Source: RED MAG
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