Hollywood prepares for Golden Globe nominations and the start of awards season

Hollywood is kicking off its awards season with the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations, marking the first major set of honors before the Oscars in March. The upcoming ceremony, hosted by U.S. comedian Nikki Glaser on January 11 in Los Angeles, will include a new category for best podcast and recognize achievements across both film and television. Among the most anticipated films are ‘Wicked: For Good,’ the conclusion to the Wicked saga, and ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash,’ expected to dominate the box office during the holidays. Other contenders include ‘Hamnet,’ a literary drama inspired by Shakespeare’s son, ‘Sinners,’ a period vampire film, and sports biopics such as ‘Marty Supreme,’ ‘Christy,’ and ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Stars likely to receive nominations include Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Sydney Sweeney, alongside George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, and Jessie Buckley. Television categories will feature acclaimed series like ‘Adolescence,’ ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Severance,’ ‘Slow Horses,’ and ‘The White Lotus.’ Despite its reputation as a relaxed and alcohol-fueled event, the Golden Globes remain a critical stepping stone toward Oscar recognition, often propelling winners into the spotlight among Academy voters. Following past scandals, the Globes have rebuilt credibility and popularity, with Glaser’s successful 2025 hosting earning her another turn as host in 2026.