Breaking: The Golden Globes just hit reset on awards season. The 83rd nominations landed yesterday at the Beverly Hilton, and I was in the room as the Globes revealed a slate built to spark conversation. One Battle After Another roared in front with nine nods, Sentimental Value followed with eight, and Sinners pulled a fierce seven. Then came the shocker. The Globes added Best Podcast, the first time the show has formally honored audio storytelling on its stage.
The Big Leaders, and the star matchups to watch
This film race is stacked with marquee names. Leonardo DiCaprio earned a nod for One Battle After Another. Dwayne Johnson is in the hunt for The Smashing Machine. Jessie Buckley scored for Hamnet. Ariana Grande landed her second straight Golden Globe nomination, this time for Wicked: For Good, and yes, that means co-star Cynthia Erivo is in the mix too.
Television brought heat as well. Sterling K. Brown’s nomination for Paradise drew instant cheers from supporters who have been championing his run all fall. It sets up a tight contest that could swing late in voting.
- One Battle After Another, 9 nominations
- Sentimental Value, 8 nominations
- Sinners, 7 nominations
- Wicked: For Good, multiple mentions across music and acting
The acting races feel personal
These categories carry real narrative. DiCaprio seeks a redemptive win for a role that demands range. Johnson’s bid, built on grit and transformation, is the crowd-pleaser that could sneak past the traditional favorite. Buckley keeps ascending, quiet and relentless. Grande is the pop star turned precision performer, adding awards muscle to a blockbuster musical.
The Globes go audio, Best Podcast arrives
The room shifted when the Globes unveiled Best Podcast. It is a bold nod to how audiences actually consume stories now. Six nominees will compete, with a mix of celebrity chat, news briefings, and self-help formats. That balance shows how the Globes want mainstream reach and cultural weight in one category.
- Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
- SmartLess
- Call Her Daddy
- Up First
Rounding out the lineup are The Mel Robbins Podcast and Good Hang with Amy Poehler. This field blends star power and daily ritual listening, which is exactly where podcasts live in our lives. Expect a debate over what makes a podcast award-worthy. Is it intimacy, influence, or pure craft? The Globes seem to be saying it is all three.
The 83rd Golden Globes air Sunday, January 11, 2026, live from the Beverly Hilton. Nikki Glaser hosts on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
Snubs, stumbles, and the mood in the room
There was a gasp when Stranger Things 5 failed to appear. The show stormed back this year, yet it is sitting out nominations. That snub will sting for fans who wanted a victory lap. Inside the ballroom, presenters Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall kept the energy moving, but Wayans caught heat after mispronouncing several names. It landed awkwardly in a moment that should feel precise and celebratory. The Globes want to prove they are focused and modern, and small errors can become big headlines.
Ariana Grande’s nomination, meanwhile, triggered immediate joy from her fan base. The vibe was clear. She is not just a pop icon. She is here to compete with movie veterans, and she fits right in.
What this slate says about the Globes now
This is a course correction, and a statement of intent. Adding podcasts brings the Globes closer to the culture we live in, where a commute episode can shape the day more than a two-hour movie. The film leaders mix prestige with punch, which keeps the telecast exciting. The TV picks lean into strong performances and high engagement, which suggests the voters want momentum going into Oscar season and beyond.
The Globes also know the optics count. A clean, confident show in January matters. New categories, clear nominations, and a sharp host are part of the rebuild.
Final voting is due in early January. Expect late campaign swings, surprise endorsements, and a few strategic screenings before ballots lock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When are the Golden Globes?
A: Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Q: Who leads the nominations?
A: One Battle After Another has nine. Sentimental Value has eight. Sinners has seven.
Q: What is new this year?
A: The Globes added Best Podcast, the first formal recognition of podcasts at the ceremony.
Q: Which big stars were nominated?
A: Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson, Jessie Buckley, and Ariana Grande are among the major acting nominees.
Q: Any major snubs?
A: Stranger Things 5 missed out, which surprised many given its high-profile season.
Conclusion
The Globes just reset the board. Big films are surging, A-list actors are colliding, and a brand-new podcast prize signals a show chasing the present, not the past. If this nominations list is the blueprint, January will be loud, fast, and very competitive.
