Golden Globes 2026 Shake-Up: Snubs, Surprises and Early Favorites Take Center Stage

08 December 2025

Jennifer Lopez in "Kiss of the Spider Woman"; Sydney Sweeney in "Christy"; Quinta Brunson in "Abbott Elementary". Credit : Jennifer Lopez/YouTube; Black Bear Pictures; Disney/Gilles Mingasson

The 2026 Golden Globe Awards nominations dropped on December 8, and as expected the list stirred the entertainment world with its share of surprises, unexpected omissions, and frontrunners. The film One Battle After Another emerged as the early frontrunner with a commanding nine nominations more than any other picture this year. It was followed closely by Sentimental Value with eight nods and Sinners with seven, highlighting a strong season for dramatic fare.

Television also delivered its share of buzz. The hit series The White Lotus led with six nominations, while newcomer Adolescence earned five signaling substantial early support from the Globes’ voting body for these standout shows.

But the nominations weren’t without their jarring omissions. Perhaps the most talked-about snub belongs to the musical film Wicked: For Good. Despite five total nominations including acting bids for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, plus nods in song and box-office/achievement categories, the film was left out of the Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy) slate entirely.

Even acclaimed performances didn’t guarantee recognition for some. In drama film Sinners, while star Michael B. Jordan scored on a dual lead-actor nomination, co-star Wunmi Mosaku was entirely overlooked.

On the flip side, some nominees came from left field. Actor Jacob Elordi picked up a Supporting Actor nod for his role in Frankenstein, and his simultaneous nomination for a television role marking him as a rare double nominee this season caught many off guard.

The mix of frontrunners, surprises and snubs draws a picture of a year where risk-taking, genre mixing, and global cinema made their mark. Independent and international films fared well, with several titles from outside the U.S. making significant headway, reflecting the Globes’ evolving and broadened sensibilities.

At the same time, the absence of certain expected nominees and the presence of unexpected ones underscores just how unpredictable this awards season might be. As always, the nominations are just the start, everything now shifts to the ceremony on January 11, 2026, when the winners are chosen and the real surprises may begin.