Los Angeles: Paul Thomas Anderson’s rebellious epic One Battle After Another emerged as the biggest winner at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, sweeping top honours in the comedy category, while Chloe Zhao’s Shakespeare-inspired drama Hamnet delivered the night’s biggest surprise by winning Best Film (Drama).
One Battle After Another won Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical), along with Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Female Actor for Teyana Taylor. With this feat, Anderson became only the second filmmaker in Golden Globes history to win film, director and screenplay in the same year, matching a record previously held only by Oliver Stone for Born on the Fourth of July.
Although Anderson’s film had been widely considered the frontrunner this awards season, many expected stiff competition from Ryan Coogler’s Jim Crow-era vampire thriller Sinners. However, it was Hamnet, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel and centred on the lives of William and Agnes Shakespeare, that claimed the top drama prize. The win followed Jessie Buckley’s victory for Best Female Actor in a Drama for her performance in the film.
The evening proved especially successful for Warner Bros., the studio behind both One Battle After Another and Sinners. During his acceptance speech, Anderson praised Warner Bros. co-chief Michael DeLuca, crediting the studio’s creative freedom for enabling bold, original filmmaking.
The ceremony also highlighted a moment of unity among leading filmmakers. Zhao, Anderson, Coogler and Steven Spielberg—who served as a producer on Hamnet—shared the stage, underscoring a sense of solidarity in an industry facing economic and creative uncertainty. Zhao recalled her early days at Sundance Labs alongside Coogler, urging young filmmakers to remain open and supportive of one another.
While Sinners missed out on Best Film, it won Best Original Score and Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. The film’s recognition was notable given early doubts about its commercial performance; it ultimately grossed USD 368 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing original film in 15 years.
Several Oscar favourites also secured key wins. Timothée Chalamet won his first Golden Globe for Marty Supreme, earning a standing ovation from peers including Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney. Other major acting awards went to Rose Byrne, Wagner Moura and Stellan Skarsgård, while Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent won Best International Film.
In television categories, The Pitt was named Best Drama Series, Netflix’s Adolescence won four awards, and Seth Rogen’s industry satire The Studio took Best Comedy Series, with Rogen also winning Best Male Actor in a Comedy.
Hosted for the second consecutive year by Nikki Glaser, the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton blended sharp political humour with industry commentary, reflecting the broader tensions facing Hollywood. Despite the uncertainty, the night reinforced the Golden Globes’ continuing influence as a key marker in the awards season race.
