The Golden Globes 2026 became a milestone event at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on January 11, as the ceremony debuted its first-ever Best Podcast award, which marked a significant Amy Poehler Golden Globes win with her show “Good Hang.” Hosted by Nikki Glazer, the night not only celebrated major achievements but also set new records across several categories, highlighting a transformative year for the storied awards show.
A Night of Firsts and Notable Achievements at the Golden Globes
This year, the Golden Globes introduced the Best Podcast category for the first time in its 83-year history, and Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” earned the honor of being its inaugural winner. During her moment on stage, Poehler acknowledged both her excitement and respect for the emerging podcast format, saying,
“I don’t know about awards shows, but when they get it right, it makes sense,”
followed by,
“I’m new to this game, I have great respect for this form.”
– Amy Poehler, Actor and Podcaster.
The introduction of the podcast award isn’t the only benchmark the ceremony achieved. Ricky Gervais, already known for hosting more Golden Globes shows than anyone else, clinched his second award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television, becoming the first to win the honor twice.
Jean Smart surpassed her own record, becoming the oldest recipient of Best Female Actor in a TV Musical/Comedy at 74 years old, for her role in “Hacks.” Meanwhile, young talent Owen Cooper etched his name into history as the youngest winner of Best Supporting Male Actor in Television for his performance in “Adolescence.”
Record-Setting Nominations and Special Recognitions
In the lead-up to the ceremony, the Golden Globes nominations themselves broke ground. On December 8, Cynthia Erivo became the first Black woman to earn two nominations in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category, following her acclaimed role as Elphaba in “Wicked: For Good” (2025). She reflected on this achievement, saying,
“It’s an honor to be nominated once again for this film,”
and added,
“It has been a beautiful journey to play this character, and this is the cherry on top.”
Erivo expressed gratitude for her collaborators:
“This entire journey could never have been possible without the wonderful leadership of my brother and glorious director Jon M. Chu and producer extraordinaire everyone could only wish for, Marc Platt.”
– Cynthia Erivo, Actor.
Adding to the ceremony’s inclusive strides, Bella Ramsey of “The Last of Us” secured a consecutive nomination in the Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama category, becoming the first nonbinary performer to receive multiple Golden Globe nods.
Key Winners and Standout Moments
The ceremony spotlighted prominent performances and productions, awarding industry veterans and new faces alike. Among the winners were:
- Seth Rogen picked up Best Male Actor – Television – Musical/Comedy for his role in “The Studio.”
- Timothée Chalamet received Best Male Actor – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy for “Marty Supreme.”
- Rhea Seehorn claimed Best Female Actor – Television – Drama for “Pluribus.”
- Wagner Moura was honored with Best Male Actor – Motion Picture – Drama for “The Secret Agent.”
- Jessie Buckley won Best Female Actor – Motion Picture – Drama for her performance in “Hamnet.”
- Jean Smart not only achieved a new age record but won Best Female Actor – Television – Musical/Comedy for “Hacks.”
Major Awards Across Television and Film
Film and television productions received recognition in multiple categories. “Hamnet” secured Best Picture – Drama honors, while “One Battle After Another” earned Best Picture – Musical or Comedy. “Adolescence” excelled in the limited and supporting actor categories, with Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Owen Cooper all receiving Golden Globe awards for their performances.
Additional headline winners included:
- Noah Wyle for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama for “The Pitt.”
- Michelle Williams for Best Female Actor – Television – Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture for “Dying for Sex.”
- Rose Byrne took Best Female Actor – Motion Picture – Musical/Comedy for “If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You.”
- Stellan Skarsgård received Best Supporting Male Actor—Motion Picture for “Sentimental Value.”
- Teyana Taylor was awarded Best Supporting Female Actor – Motion Picture for “One Battle After Another.”
Recognition for Behind-the-Scenes Excellence and New Categories
Paul Thomas Anderson won both Best Director and Best Screenplay for “One Battle After Another,” underscoring the film’s creative impact. In music, Ludwig Göransson captured the Best Score – Motion Picture award for “Sinners,” while the Best Original Song went to “Golden” from “K:Pop Demon Hunters,” a collaboration that featured Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, Kim Eun-jae (EJAE), and Mark Sonnenblick.
The Golden Globes continued expanding their scope, awarding Best Animated Motion Picture to “KPop Demon Hunters” and Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement to “Sinners,” reflecting both critical acclaim and popular success.
Special Honors: Lifetime Achievement and Iconic Contributions
The ceremony celebrated distinguished careers through special honors. Sarah Jessica Parker received the Carol Burnett Award for her enduring influence in television, and Helen Mirren was recognized with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, paying tribute to her remarkable legacy in film.
Comedic Triumphs and Stand-Up Excellence
This year’s ceremony marked further comedic milestones. Ricky Gervais took home Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance for “Ricky Gervais: Mortality” and, in doing so, continued his record-setting path at the Globes. The category featured other notable acts, including Bill Maher, Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani, and Sarah Silverman, but Gervais’s set clinched the win thanks to its resonance and bold delivery.
Television Series and Noteworthy Ensemble Wins
Among television shows, “The Studio” emerged as Best Musical or Comedy Series, while “The Pitt” claimed Best Drama Series – Television. In the Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Motion Picture category, “Adolescence” won, cementing its actors’, including Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty’s, ascent in industry recognition.
Highlights from International and Non-English Categories
Recognizing storytelling from around the globe, “The Secret Agent” earned Best Non-English Language Motion Picture, and “It Was Just an Accident,” “No Other Choice,” and “Sentimental Value” received nominations alongside international talents such as Jafar Panahi and Hind Rajab. These inclusions exemplified the Golden Globes’ commitment to honoring diverse voices across film and television.
Looking Ahead: The Golden Globes’ Evolving Legacy
The 2026 ceremony stood out not only for iconic wins like the Amy Poehler Golden Globes win for Best Podcast but also for its embrace of new categories, voices, and forms. With Amy Poehler, Ricky Gervais, Jean Smart, Cynthia Erivo, Owen Cooper, and Bella Ramsey making history, the Golden Globes demonstrated a strong commitment to both tradition and innovation. These changes signal an ongoing evolution for one of Hollywood’s most influential awards nights, setting new standards for recognition and inclusivity in years to come.
