The dust has settled, the champagne flutes have been cleared, and the infamous Beverly Hilton ballroom is quiet again. But the echoes of the 83rd Golden Globe Awards are still ringing loud and clear: 2026 was the year of the first-timer. Last night wasn’t just about who won; it was a massive, glittering welcome party for a dozen artists who finally got to hold that weighty, golden orb for the very first time.
Comedian Nikki Glaser, returning as host for a second year, set the tone for the night of coronations. In a sharp, hilarious monologue that took aim at everything from her own network (calling CBS News “America’s newest place to see B.S. news”) to the industry’s pending mega-mergers, she proved Hollywood can still laugh at itself. But the biggest laughs were often of joy, not at a punchline, as a new class of winners took the stage.
The Big Winners: A Tale of Two Top Films
In a perfect split of the night’s top film honors, two very different stories reigned supreme. The searing political satire One Battle After Another dominated the Musical or Comedy category, taking home a commanding four awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay for the masterful Paul Thomas Anderson, and a powerful win for Teyana Taylor as Best Supporting Actress. Anderson, a filmmaker long revered by critics, finally secured his first Golden Globe, solidifying his film’s position as the new Oscar frontrunner.
In a thrilling surprise, the top Drama prize went to Hamnet, the intimate historical drama about William Shakespeare’s family. The film’s star, Jessie Buckley, delivered one of the night’s most charming speeches, thanking the film’s grip for his on-set soup and fangirling over fellow nominee Julia Roberts. Director Chloé Zhao, accepting the final award of the night, seemed visibly awestruck by the win.
First-Time Winner Highlights: From Ping-Pong to Podcasts
The energy of a first win is electric, and the room was charged with it all night. Here are some of the most memorable breakthroughs:
The Small Screen’s Big Night
On television, it was a clean sweep for innovation. Netflix’s tense, single-shot limited series Adolescence was the undeniable TV champion, matching One Battle After Another with four wins, including Best Limited Series. Its creator used the platform to send a poignant message about generational responsibility.
Meanwhile, the medical drama The Pitt (HBO Max) won Best TV Drama, with its creator shouting out real healthcare workers, and the Hollywood satire The Studio (Apple TV+) took Best TV Comedy, with star Seth Rogen also winning for his performance.
A Night of Heart and Humor
Beyond the trophies, the Globes delivered its signature blend of poignant and playful moments. Host Nikki Glaser paid a touching tribute to the late, great director Rob Reiner, appearing at the end of the show in a Spinal Tap hat and delivering the iconic line, “This one went to 11”.
There was also pure, unscripted Globes chaos. Presenter Wanda Sykes, upon announcing an absent Ricky Gervais as the winner for Best Stand-Up Special, seized the moment to “thank God and the trans community” on his behalf. And during commercial breaks, the ballroom turned into a surreal mixer, with sightings of Dwayne Johnson chatting with Steven Spielberg and Kylie Jenner heading off arm-in-arm with her partner’s co-star.
And the Studio Winner Is…
When the final tally was counted, Warner Bros. Discovery led the pack with nine total wins, powered by One Battle After Another, Sinners, The Pitt, and Hacks. Netflix followed closely with six, thanks to Adolescence and the animated phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, which won two awards including Best Animated Film.
As the stars spilled out into the Beverly Hills night, the message was clear. The 2026 Golden Globes celebrated more than just the best work of the year; they passed the torch, welcomed new voices to the forefront, and proved that in Hollywood, the most exciting words in any speech are often: “This is my first Golden Globe.” The party for the class of 2026 has just begun.
by Eric Shannon