This week, nominees for the 2026 Golden Globe Awards were announced, officially setting off Hollywood’s awards season-a mix of big-budget favorites and critically acclaimed dramas, with rising talent across film, TV, and even podcasts.
At the top of the pile among films this year is One Battle After Another, which received an impressive nine nominations, the most of any movie. Other major film contenders this year include Sentimental Value, Sinners, Frankenstein, and Hamnet. Even animation found its place in the limelight, as Zootopia 2 earned a nomination and represented a strong year for family-and-youth-centered storytelling.
On the television side, The White Lotus was on top with six nominations, continuing its streak as a favorite with both critics and audiences. Several streaming series also fared well, proving the divide between traditional TV and digital platforms to be smaller than ever.
Perhaps the biggest change to this year’s awards is the inclusion of an entirely new category: Best Podcast. For the first time, the Golden Globes are recognizing audio storytelling, a reflection of just how popular podcasts have become-especially among teens and young adults.
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards will air live on January 11 from The Beverly Hilton, as comedian Nikki Glaser has been tapped to return as host. With everything from creative indie films to mega-franchise hits in the running, this year’s ceremony promises plenty of excitement, competitive categories, and can’t-miss moments.
For the students and film enthusiasts out there, these nominations are the perfect watchlist to kick off 2026 with-intense dramas, unique comedies, or binge-worthy shows.