Hollywood’s New Guard: How One Battle After Another and Adolescence Swept the 2026 Golden Globes
The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, held on January 11, 2026, at the iconic Beverly Hilton, signaled a seismic shift in the entertainment landscape. While the red carpet was filled with the usual glitz and high fashion, the ceremony itself was defined by the overwhelming success of two specific projects: Paul Thomas Anderson’s counterculture epic One Battle After Another and the gritty Netflix limited series Adolescence. Both productions walked away with four major trophies each, cementing their status as the definitive works of the year and setting a high bar for the remainder of the awards season.
The Cinematic Reign of One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another entered the evening as the most nominated film, and it quickly proved why it was the favorite of the Hollywood Foreign Press. The film was crowned Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, a win that felt like a culmination of the critical buzz that has followed the project since its release. Set against a backdrop of political turbulence and family dynamics, the film has been praised for its timely resonance and sharp, satirical edge.
For Paul Thomas Anderson, the night was particularly historic. He secured his first ever Golden Globe wins for both Best Director and Best Screenplay. In his acceptance speech, Anderson reflected on the collaborative spirit of the production, acknowledging that the film's "unruly energy" was only possible because of his cast and crew's willingness to take risks. The film’s fourth win went to Teyana Taylor, who delivered a powerhouse performance that earned her the trophy for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Her win was one of the most emotional moments of the night, as she dedicated the honor to the resilience of women telling their own stories.
The Streaming Powerhouse: Adolescence
On the television side, the Netflix drama Adolescence proved to be an unstoppable force. The series, which has captivated audiences with its innovative "one take" format and harrowing psychological depth, won the award for Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. Writer Jack Thorne accepted the award, using the platform to highlight the systemic challenges facing the younger generation depicted in the show.
The series also swept the acting categories for limited series. Stephen Graham was named Best Actor in a Limited Series for his devastating portrayal of a father in crisis. Meanwhile, 16 year old Owen Cooper made history as the youngest ever winner of the Best Supporting Actor on Television category. His heartfelt speech, in which he admitted that being the only boy in his drama class felt "embarrassing" at the time, charmed the star studded audience. To round out the show's dominance, Erin Doherty was awarded Best Supporting Actress on Television, further proving that Adolescence was the most well rounded ensemble of the year.
Major Wins Across the Board
While One Battle After Another and Adolescence were the night's biggest winners, several other stars and films secured significant victories. Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet took home the prestigious award for Best Motion Picture Drama. The film's lead, Jessie Buckley, won Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama, overcoming a stacked category that included Julia Roberts and Jennifer Lawrence. Buckley’s win solidified her as the frontrunner for the upcoming Oscars.
In the Musical or Comedy acting categories, Timothée Chalamet won his first Golden Globe for Marty Supreme. Playing an ambitious table tennis player, Chalamet’s victory was a career milestone that he attributed to the "lessons learned" from his previous four losses at the ceremony. Rose Byrne also took home a trophy for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in the indie hit If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, providing one of the night’s biggest and most welcomed upsets.
International cinema also had a major moment with the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent. The film won Best Motion Picture Non English Language, and its star, Wagner Moura, became the first Brazilian actor to win Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. His win was a testament to the Globes' expanding global perspective and its commitment to recognizing excellence regardless of language.
A Night of Humor and Heart
Host Nikki Glaser returned for her second year and kept the evening moving with a mix of sharp roasts and genuine appreciation for the arts. From jokes about the redaction of the Epstein files to lighthearted jabs at the stars in the room, her presence ensured the ceremony maintained its reputation as Hollywood's most unpredictable party.
As the 83rd Golden Globes concluded, the message was clear: the industry is embracing bold, auteur driven storytelling. Whether it is a massive studio production like One Battle After Another or an intimate, high stakes series like Adolescence, the winners of 2026 reflected a culture that is hungry for authenticity and innovation.