'International influence' over 2026 edition of the Golden Globes • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Golden Globes: Annual American award ceremony honoring excellence in film and television. Considered a key indicator for the Oscars.
• Oscar Nominations: Voting for Academy Award nominations commenced immediately following the Golden Globes.
• "One Battle After Another" (Paul Thomas Anderson): Winner of Best Picture – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes.
• "Hamnuts" (Khloe Xiao): Winner of Best Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes.
• "Sinners" (Ryan Coogler): A box office success, but underperformed at the Golden Globes, winning only for box office achievement.
• International Cinema: Significant representation and wins for non-English language films and actors.
• "Adolescence" (Netflix): Dominant winner in the television categories, generating significant cultural discussion.

Film Awards Season Kick-Off: Golden Globes Analysis

The 2025 Golden Globes ceremony, held Sunday, has significantly shaped the landscape for the upcoming Oscars in March. The awards appear to have established a primary competition between Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” and Khloe Xiao’s “Hamnuts” for the Best Picture Oscar. Oscar nomination voting began immediately after the Globes, making the ceremony’s results particularly influential.

Film Category Highlights

“One Battle After Another,” a revolutionary saga starring Leonardo DiCaprio, secured the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy. Simultaneously, “Hamnuts,” described as a heartfelt Shakespearean drama, won Best Picture – Drama. The Golden Globes categorize films into these distinct genres, highlighting the strengths of both productions. Jesse Buckley’s performance in “Hamnuts” earned her Best Leading Actress in a Drama, a largely anticipated win. Paul Thomas Anderson was further recognized with awards for Best Screenplay and Best Director for “One Battle After Another.”

Despite strong box office performance, Ryan Coogler’s vampire drama, “Sinners,” was considered a potential frontrunner for Best Drama but ultimately received three Golden Globes, including Best Box Office Achievement. This suggests a potential shift in its position within the Best Picture race. As Emma Jones noted, “Sinners is slightly lower down in the pecking order when it comes to thinking of what might win best picture in March.”

Surprises and International Recognition

A notable surprise was Stellan Scarsgard’s win for Best Supporting Actor, surpassing expectations for Jacob Elordi’s performance in “Frankenstein.” Scarsgard was recognized for his role as an absent father in Dwakim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” which received multiple nominations. Similarly, Tayana Taylor secured Best Supporting Actress for “One Battle After Another,” unexpectedly beating Ariana Grande, whose performance in “Wicked for Good” was praised as “pretty incredible.” Taylor’s performance is described as containing “iconic moments” likely to be remembered in cinematic history.

The Golden Globes demonstrated a strong international influence. Timothy Chalame, aged 30, won Best Actor – Musical or Comedy for “Marty Supreme.” Wagenamura, a popular Brazilian actor, won Best Actor – Drama for “The Secret Agent,” a significant winner at the Cannes Film Festival earlier in the year. “The Secret Agent” also received the award for Best Film – Non-English Language. This win was somewhat unexpected, as many predicted Jaffa Panahe, an Iranian director, would win for his French-produced film, a previous Palme d'Or winner at Cannes.

Television Category Dominance

In the television categories, Netflix’s “Adolescence” experienced a near-sweep, becoming a major cultural talking point of 2025. Steven Graham, co-creator of the series, won Best Actor, while Owen Cooper, at 16 years old, became potentially the youngest-ever Golden Globe winner for Best Supporting Actor. The series “swept the board in every category it was nominated.”

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The Golden Globes serve as a crucial precursor to the Oscars, setting the stage for the final awards battle. The wins for “One Battle After Another” and “Hamnuts” establish a clear frontrunner dynamic. The unexpected wins for Scarsgard and Taylor, alongside the international recognition for Wagenamura and “The Secret Agent,” demonstrate the Globes’ capacity to highlight diverse talent. The overwhelming success of “Adolescence” in the television categories underscores its cultural impact.

Ultimately, the Golden Globes provided a snapshot of critical and popular acclaim, offering valuable insights into the potential outcomes of the upcoming Oscar awards. The awards season is now firmly underway, with the Oscar nominations process initiated and the competition intensifying.