The 2026 Golden Globe Awards transformed the Beverly Hilton into a gathering of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures, with names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, and George Clooney filling the room. On the awards front, the film One Battle After Another dominated with four wins, while Netflix’s Adolescence matched that success on the television side. The series also delivered a milestone moment when 16-year-old Owen Cooper became one of the youngest Golden Globe winners on record.
Several individual achievements added to the night’s significance. Timothée Chalamet, at 30, earned his first Golden Globe for Marty Supreme, marking a major step in his career. The ceremony also debuted a new category—Best Podcast—reflecting the industry’s expanding definition of entertainment. That inaugural award went to Good Hang with Amy Poehler, signaling a shift in how the Globes recognize modern media formats.
Despite these highlights, attention quickly turned away from trophies and toward behavior inside the venue. Reports surfaced that some guests ignored event rules, including allegations that Sean Penn smoked indoors despite an established ban. Online criticism followed, with viewers calling the actions entitled and dismissive. Adding fuel to the backlash, several well-known attendees—among them Selena Gomez, Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Benny Blanco, and Keegan-Michael Key—were reported to have left before the ceremony concluded, some ahead of major award announcements.
Host Nikki Glaser also became part of the conversation. Her sharp humor divided viewers, particularly jokes aimed at Penn, and her tribute to filmmaker Rob Reiner drew mixed reactions online. While the 2026 Golden Globes recognized notable achievements across film, television, and new media, many viewers felt the evening would be remembered less for its winners and more for the disruptions, early exits, and debate that unfolded alongside the celebration.