The starting gun for Hollywood’s most chaotic season has officially fired. Specifically, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association unveiled the 2026 Golden Globe nominations on Monday morning.
In a stunning display, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another has emerged as the definitive heavyweight. Consequently, the film secured a massive nine nominations, instantly becoming the title to beat.
Moreover, this announcement effectively sets the narrative for the upcoming Academy Awards in March. Ultimately, the winners will be revealed during the live broadcast on January 11.
Film Contenders Breakdown
Although Anderson currently leads the pack, the field remains crowded with high-caliber cinema. For instance, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is following closely behind with eight mentions. Simultaneously, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners made a strong showing with seven nominations.
As a result, the “Best Director” category is stacked. Notably, it features heavy hitters like Guillermo del Toro and Chloé Zhao alongside Anderson and Coogler.
Below are the major film and directing contenders:
Best Film – Drama
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Frankenstein
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Hamnet
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It Was Just an Accident
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The Secret Agent
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Sentimental Value
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Sinners
Best Film – Musical or Comedy
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Blue Moon
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Bugonia
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Marty Supreme
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No Other Choice
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Nouvelle Vague
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One Battle After Another
Best Director
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Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
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Ryan Coogler – Sinners
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Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein
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Jafar Panahi – It Was Just an Accident
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Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
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Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
Best Screenplay
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Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
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Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
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Ryan Coogler – Sinners
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Jafar Panahi – It Was Just an Accident
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Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
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Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell – Hamnet
The Acting Race
Turning to the individual performances, the acting categories are filled with A-list talent. For example, the drama race features huge stars like Dwayne Johnson and Jeremy Allen White. Conversely, the musical and comedy sector sees Timothée Chalamet and Emma Stone vying for gold.
Furthermore, the supporting categories are equally competitive. Indeed, stars like Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro have secured their spots in the race.
The top acting nominees include:
Best Female Actor – Drama
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Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
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Jennifer Lawrence – Die, My Love
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Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
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Julia Roberts – After the Hunt
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Tessa Thompson – Hedda
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Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby
Best Male Actor – Drama
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Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams
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Oscar Isaac – Frankenstein
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Dwayne Johnson – The Smashing Machine
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Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
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Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
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Jeremy Allen White – Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
Best Female Actor – Musical or Comedy
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Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
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Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good
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Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
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Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
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Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee
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Emma Stone – Bugonia
Best Male Actor – Musical or Comedy
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Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
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George Clooney – Jay Kelly
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Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
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Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
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Lee Byung-Hun – No Other Choice
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Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
Best Supporting Female Actor
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Emily Blunt – The Smashing Machine
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Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
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Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
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Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
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Amy Madigan – Weapons
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Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Male Actor
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Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
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Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
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Paul Mescal – Hamnet
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Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
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Adam Sandler – Jay Kelly
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Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Television & Streaming Heavyweights
On the other hand, the small screen competition is arguably just as ruthless this year. To illustrate, The White Lotus proved its staying power by racking up significant recognition in the supporting acting categories.
In addition, political and medical dramas are surging. Specifically, both The Diplomat and The Pitt secured key spots in the drama race.
Here are the standout nominees for television:
Best Series – Drama
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The Diplomat
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The Pitt
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Pluribus
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Severance
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Slow Horses
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The White Lotus
Best Series – Comedy or Musical
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Abbott Elementary
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The Bear
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Hacks
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Nobody Wants This
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Only Murders in the Building
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The Studio
Best Limited Series
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Adolescence
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All Her Fault
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The Beast In Me
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Black Mirror
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Dying for Sex
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The Girlfriend
Best Female Actor – Drama (TV)
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Kathy Bates – Matlock
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Britt Lower – Severance
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Helen Mirren – Mobland
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Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
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Keri Russell – The Diplomat
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Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Best Male Actor – Drama (TV)
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Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
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Diego Luna – Andor
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Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
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Mark Ruffalo – Task
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Adam Scott – Severance
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Noah Wyle – The Pitt
Technical & Additional Categories
Finally, the ceremony honors achievements in music, animation, and box office success. In particular, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2 are competing for the newly prestigious Box Office Achievement award.
Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
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Avatar: Fire and Ash
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F1
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KPop Demon Hunters
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Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
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Sinners
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Weapons
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Wicked: For Good
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Zootopia 2
Best Animated Film
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Arco
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
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Elio
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KPop Demon Hunters
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Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
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Zootopia 2
Best Original Score
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Alexandre Desplat – Frankenstein
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Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
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Jonny Greenwood – One Battle After Another
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Kangding Ray – Sirāt
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Max Richter – Hamnet
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Hans Zimmer – F1
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