Hollywood stars battle for awards at 2026 Golden Globes

Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and other top names will compete for top honours at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, a key event in the run-up to the Academy Awards. The ceremony is due to take place in Beverly Hills, California, recognising achievements across film and television.

DiCaprio’s dark comedy “One Battle After Another” leads the film nominations, competing for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

The film follows a washed-up revolutionary who springs into action when his daughter’s life is in danger. DiCaprio, alongside co-stars Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor, has also received an individual nomination.

The film will compete against “Marty Supreme”, starring Chalamet, and the black comedy “Bugonia”.

The Golden Globes will be hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser.

Glaser, known for her sharp wit, has promised a light-hearted approach to the monologue, saying her jokes would not ruin the stars’ big night. “I don’t think I’m going to have to avoid anyone at the after-party,” Glaser said.

The Best Motion Picture, Drama category also features strong contenders, including “Jay Kelly”, which stars George Clooney as an actor grappling with his legacy alongside Adam Sandler as his manager.

Other nominated dramas include Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein”, the supernatural thriller “Sinners”, and “Hamnet”, a story about William Shakespeare’s family.

Acting nominations include DiCaprio and Chalamet, along with Dwayne Johnson for “The Smashing Machine”, Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners”, and Jessie Buckley for “Hamnet”. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are both nominated for “Wicked: For Good”.

While the Golden Globes are among the first major awards to be handed out, their winners often generate buzz ahead of the Academy Awards in March.

Though Golden Globe voters are not involved in the Oscar selection process, a win at the Globes can bring crucial attention to potential Oscar contenders.

This year, the Golden Globes’ voting body, a group of more than 300 entertainment journalists, was expanded and reformed following past criticism over diversity and ethical standards.

The awards also spotlight international films, with nominations for “Sentimental Value” from Norway, Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” from Iran, and Brazil’s “The Secret Agent”.

In a new category, the Globes will recognise podcasts, with nominees including “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard”, “Call Her Daddy”, “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” and “The Mel Robbins Podcast”.

On the television side, HBO’s “The White Lotus” leads with the most nominations, while Netflix’s “Adolescence”, about a 13-year-old accused of murder, has also secured multiple nominations.

The 2026 Golden Globe Awards are expected to draw close attention, with many of Hollywood’s biggest stars vying for recognition in the build-up to the Oscars.

- Agencies