Golden Globes 2026: Frankenstein Leads, Wicked Shocks

The 2026 Golden Globe nominations dropped Monday morning, delivering a mix of expected frontrunners and jaw-dropping snubs that have Hollywood buzzing. Leading the pack are Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and the acclaimed British drama Adolescence, while the box office phenomenon Wicked: For Good suffered a stunning omission that few saw coming.

Frankenstein Dominates Film Categories

Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Mary Shelley's Gothic classic emerged as a major contender with five nominations, including Best Motion Picture - Drama. The Netflix production earned recognition for del Toro's direction, Oscar Isaac's lead performance, and Jacob Elordi in a supporting role. Alexandre Desplat's score also received a nod, marking del Toro's fourth film to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association following Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio.

The director faces stiff competition in his category from an impressive lineup that includes Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), and Jafar Panahi (It Was Just An Accident).

The Wicked Shock: When Box Office Success Isn't Enough

Perhaps the morning's biggest surprise came in what wasn't nominated. Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated sequel to last year's Golden Globe winner, failed to secure a nomination for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy despite massive box office returns and being nominated in the new Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category.

According to BBC culture reporters, the snub reflects broader critical reception of the sequel. "The second half of the stage musical is widely regarded as being weaker than the first," the BBC notes. "It's gloomier and darker, and arguably drags more." With the musical's most memorable songs featured in the first film, the sequel struggled to recapture the magic that made its predecessor an awards darling.

The film did find recognition for its stars, however. Cynthia Erivo earned a nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, while Ariana Grande received a nod for Best Supporting Actress. Two original songs from the film, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble," both penned by Stephen Schwartz, are also in contention.

British Television's Awards Sweep Continues

After dominating September's Emmy Awards, Adolescence continues its remarkable run with five Golden Globe nominations. The Netflix drama about a teenage boy accused of stabbing a classmate earned recognition for actors Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Ashley Walters—with Walters' nomination being described as a "surprise nod" by the BBC.

"If this momentum keeps up, it could turn into a full awards season sweep," entertainment reporter Steven McIntosh observed, noting upcoming opportunities at the Actor Awards (formerly SAG Awards) in March and the Bafta TV Awards in May.

British representation extends across television categories, with fan-favorite series The White Lotus, Severance, and Slow Horses all nominated for Best Drama Series. However, film acting categories show less UK presence, with Cynthia Erivo, Emily Blunt, and Tessa Thompson being the primary British representatives.

Surprising Contenders and Notable Omissions

The acting categories delivered several unexpected nominations. Eva Victor earned recognition for her performance in the independent film Sorry, Baby, about a woman navigating life after sexual assault—a surprising inclusion in a category that passed over bigger names like Sydney Sweeney for Christy.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) emerged as the frontrunner for Best Actress in a Drama, competing against Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love) and Julia Roberts (After The Hunt). Meanwhile, the male drama category showcases an eclectic mix from Dwayne Johnson's dramatic turn in The Smashing Machine to Jeremy Allen White's portrayal of Bruce Springsteen in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

Breaking New Ground: The Podcast Category

For the first time, the Golden Globes introduced a Best Podcast category, with the organization claiming to be "the first major award show to honor podcasting." Nominees include established favorites like "Smartless," "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard," and "Call Her Daddy," alongside NPR's "Up First," "The Mel Robbins Podcast," and "Good Hang with Amy Poehler."

The addition reflects the growing influence of podcast content in entertainment and the industry's recognition of audio storytelling as a legitimate art form worthy of major awards consideration.

What to Watch For

As the 83rd Annual Golden Globes approaches on January 11, several storylines bear watching. Can Frankenstein convert its nominations into wins against strong competition from Hamnet and Sinners? Will Adolescence maintain its momentum toward a full awards season sweep? And does the Wicked: For Good snub signal trouble ahead for its Oscar prospects?

The ceremony, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET, will be hosted for the second consecutive year by comedian Nikki Glaser. With 28 categories spanning film, television, and now podcasting, the evening promises recognition for both established favorites and surprising newcomers.

The Road to Oscar

Golden Globe nominations often serve as an early indicator of Oscar potential, though the relationship isn't always straightforward. The strong showing for films like Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Sinners suggests these titles will remain in the conversation through February. However, the Wicked: For Good situation demonstrates that box office success and popular appeal don't guarantee critical recognition.

For international cinema, the nominations of films from France, South Korea, Norway, Spain, Brazil, and Tunisia in the Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language category showcase the globalization of film recognition, with diverse storytelling earning attention from major awards bodies.

As Netflix leads with 35 total nominations across all categories, the streaming giant continues to demonstrate its dominance in both film and television production. The platform's commitment to prestige projects appears to be paying dividends, positioning it as a major player throughout awards season.

The Golden Globes have long served as Hollywood's most unpredictable awards show, and this year's nominations live up to that reputation. With surprising snubs, unexpected contenders, and the introduction of new categories, the 2026 ceremony promises an evening of genuine suspense when winners are announced in January.