Hamnet Takes Home the 2026 Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama
Chloé Zhao and the cast and crew of ‘Hamnet’ at the 2026 Golden Globes.
Credit: CBS
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet Wins Big at the Golden Globes
In a significant victory, Hamnet won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama on January 11, 2026, at the annual Golden Globe Awards. The award was presented by George Clooney and Don Cheadle, who shared a light moment referencing their Ocean’s movie franchise before producer Steven Spielberg acknowledged the team behind the film, calling Zhao "the one filmmaker on the face of the planet who could tell this story."
During her acceptance speech, director Chloé Zhao highlighted a poignant message she received from lead actor Paul Mescal earlier in the day. "Making Hamnet made him realize that the most important thing of being an artist is learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen for who we are and not who we ought to be," she said. "Even the parts of ourselves that we’re ashamed of, that we’re afraid of, that are imperfect, so the people that we speak to, they can also see themselves and fully accept themselves."
Zhao expressed her admiration for fellow nominee Ryan Coogler, director of Sinners, acknowledging the bravery and dedication shown by her peers in their work.
Other films nominated for Best Motion Picture Drama included Frankenstein, It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, and Sentimental Value.
Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare in ‘Hamnet’.
Agata Grzybowska / FOCUS FEATURES
Hamnet is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel, depicting the life of the Shakespeare family as they navigate the grief of losing their son Hamnet, portrayed by Jacobi Jupe. The film explores the strains on the marriage of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley) as they grapple with their loss. Directed by Zhao, who previously won an Oscar for Nomadland, Hamnet garnered a total of six nominations at this year’s Golden Globes, including Best Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Director.
Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth in ‘Frankenstein’.
Courtesy of Netflix
In the running for top awards, Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, offers a modern retelling of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, featuring Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as his Creature. The film received several nominations, including Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for Isaac and Best Director for del Toro.
Also in contention, It Was Just an Accident follows a mechanic, Vahid, who confronts his past when he encounters his former torturer. The film not only earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture Non-English Language but also won the Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, The Secret Agent explores a father and son’s struggle to escape Brazil’s political turmoil during its military dictatorship. Wagner Moura’s performance drew nominations, adding to the film’s recognition in the non-English language category.
Lastly, Sentimental Value, a Norwegian drama by Joachim Trier, tells the story of a dysfunctional family navigating their reunion following a tragedy. The film has garnered critical acclaim, achieving eight nominations at the Golden Globes.
With a blend of compelling storytelling and artistic achievement, this year’s Golden Globe Awards highlighted the impact of cinema on culture and collective memory.
