The Golden Globes 2026 kicked off with stars strutting the red carpet, from the cast of The Pitt to Adolescence. But even amid all the glamour of the night, the tension and anticipation that had been building up for months were palpable.

As the most anticipated night finally came to an end with some jaw-dropping surprises that stunned everyone, historic moments made headlines. But, as with every awards season, there were hits and just as many misses, too. So, here are some of the snubs and surprises that are being talked about the most.

Teyana Taylor was a pleasant surprise as she won the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture. She showed a powerful and unforgettable performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in One Battle After Another, starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Dazzling in a black gown, she gave an emotional speech to the crowd. 

While her win may have surprised some, she rightfully earned it, beating out other nominees, including Emily Blunt, Elle Fanning, Ariana Grande, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Amy Madigan.

Ryan Coogler might be arguably one of the most painful snubs at the Golden Globes. He made a masterpiece with Sinners, earning nominations for both Best Director and Best Screenplay. With vampires, horrors, and a hidden meaning about culture and racism, the film showed his creative brilliance. 

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And despite being nominated and considered a heavy favorite, he did not take home the award. But when it comes to wins, Ryan Coogler has certainly secured one, making a huge impact on the audience.

Wagner Moura made history at the 2026 Golden Globes by becoming the first Brazilian to win Best Actor in a Drama for his role in The Secret Agent. He played the role of a former professor and showed a deeply moving performance that is deserving of the honor.

His win came as a delightful surprise to many, especially given the stiff competition from heavyweights like Joel Edgerton, Oscar Isaac, and Michael B. Jordan. 

Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Ryan Coogler, does not need an introduction. Apart from the horror and vampires, the film had a powerful, thought-provoking message.

Despite its impact and acclaim, it ultimately missed out on winning Best Motion Picture – Drama to Hamnet. 

Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet tells the story of Agnes and her family, exploring the many complexities of life. Its brilliance lies in how it transforms personal tragedy into a universal story that connects with everyone. Although quite a surprise, it understandably and rightfully won Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes.  

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which grossed over $368 million worldwide, took home the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement Award at the 2026 Golden Globes. While Sinners deserved the honor considering their massive commercial and brilliant storytelling, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Wicked: For Good are two equally impressive movies that made $1.231 billion and $522 million worldwide. 

Whether or not some of the movies and series took home the awards, the nominations themselves are a clear indication that each contender truly deserved the honor. And as for the debates, award shows will always spark conversation.

Golden Globe Nominations 2026: From 'One Battle After Another' to 'Sinners', Here Are All the Nominees

Which one did you think was a surprise or a snub? Let us know in the comments section below.