"Hamnet" Claims Top Drama Prize at 2026 Golden Globes

Hamnet Wins Best Picture, Drama at 2026 Golden Globes

Hamnet took home the award for Best Picture, Drama at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night. The film’s win was a moment of surprise and celebration, particularly for its director, Chloé Zhao, who was visibly moved by the recognition.

Zhao accepted the award alongside stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, as well as producer Stephen Spielberg. Spielberg opened the acceptance speech, expressing his belief that only Zhao could bring the story to life. He then handed the microphone over to her, allowing her to share her thoughts with the audience.

In her speech, Zhao acknowledged the emotional toll the film’s production had on its crew. “Some of the film’s crew lost their loved ones while making this film,” she said, adding that she was thinking of them during the moment. She also shared a powerful message from Mescal, who had told her earlier in the day about the importance of vulnerability in art.

“Paul said that he realized that making Hamnet made him realize the most important part of being an artist is learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen for who we are, not who we ought to be,” Zhao said. “To give ourselves fully to the world—even the parts of ourselves that we’re ashamed of, that we’re afraid of, that are imperfect. So that the people that we speak to can also learn to fully accept themselves.”

Zhao then turned her attention to her fellow nominee, Ryan Coogler, the director of Sinners. “I’m looking at you. So many of you have become so strong and tender at the same time. And you’ve shared so much of yourselves with the world.”

She concluded with a heartfelt message: “Let’s keep allowing ourselves to be seen.”

A Significant Win for Chloé Zhao

This marks a significant achievement for Zhao, who previously won the Oscar for Best Director for her 2021 drama, Nomadland. Hamnet, co-written by Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell, is adapted from O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name. The film stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William Shakespeare, who grapple with the loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet (played by Jacobi Jupe). The tragedy ultimately inspired Shakespeare to create one of his most celebrated works, Hamlet.

Other Notable Wins

In addition to Hamnet’s Best Picture, Drama win, several other notable awards were given out during the ceremony. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in a Drama for her role in Hamnet, while Wagner Moura took home Best Actor in a Drama for his performance in The Secret Agent. The film One Battle After Another won Best Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy.

Streaming Availability and Industry Trends

Of the films nominated for Best Drama, viewers can currently stream Sinners on HBO Max and Frankenstein on Netflix. However, the other nominees—Hamnet, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and It Was Just An Accident—are not yet available on streaming or on demand.

The 2026 Golden Globes also saw some unusual nominations in the movie categories. Several dramas, such as One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, and Blue Moon, were nominated in the “Comedy or Musical” category, despite not fitting traditional definitions of those genres. Meanwhile, musicals like Wicked: For Good and broad comedies like The Naked Gun were overlooked.

Despite these quirks, the Golden Globes remain a highlight of the entertainment calendar. If you missed the broadcast, you can catch the 2026 Golden Globes show streaming on Paramount+.