Golden Globes: ‘Hamnet’ Scores Upset While Warner Bros Wins Big—Oscar Betting Markets
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards delivered drama, surprises, and clear winners—setting the tone for an unpredictable awards season ahead. While industry watchers expected familiar favorites to sweep the night, it was “Hamnet” that delivered the biggest shock, even as Warner Bros. emerged as the studio powerhouse of the evening.
Let’s break it all down in a simple, conversational way.
Warner Bros Steals the Spotlight at the Golden Globes 2026
It was a banner night for Warner Bros., especially significant as the studio faces an impending sale to Netflix. The Leonardo DiCaprio–led “One Battle After Another” dominated the film categories, winning four major awards, including:
- Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Supporting Actress for Teyana Taylor
These wins didn’t just earn applause—they strengthened the film’s Oscar chances, making it the clear frontrunner in early Academy Awards betting markets.
Meanwhile, HBO Max’s “The Pitt” added to Warner’s momentum by winning Best Drama Series, reinforcing the studio’s dominance across both film and television.
‘Hamnet’ Pulls Off the Night’s Biggest Upset
If there was one jaw-dropping moment of the night, it belonged to “Hamnet.” Going into the ceremony, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” was widely expected to win Best Picture – Drama. Instead, Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” walked away with the prize—leaving its cast and creators visibly stunned on stage.
Adding to its triumph, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in a Drama for her powerful performance, instantly pushing Hamnet into serious Oscar conversation.
Acting Winners Who Boosted Their Oscar Odds
The Golden Globes often act as a preview of Oscar success—and this year was no exception. Key acting wins included:
- Timothée Chalamet – Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) for Marty Supreme
- Rose Byrne – Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Wagner Moura – Best Actor (Drama) for The Secret Agent
- Jessie Buckley – Best Actress (Drama) for Hamnet
On the TV side, Noah Wyle (The Pitt) and Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus) took home top acting honors.
These wins significantly improved betting odds for several contenders, particularly Chalamet and Buckley, who are now considered strong Oscar favorites.
How Golden Globes Wins Shifted Oscar Betting Markets
Following Sunday night’s results:
- “One Battle After Another” now has an 81–83% chance of winning Best Picture at the Oscars, according to Polymarket and Kalshi.
- “Hamnet” jumped ahead of Marty Supreme in betting rankings, though it remains a distant second.
- Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar odds surged to 76%, widening the gap between him and rivals like Leonardo DiCaprio.
In short, the Golden Globes didn’t just hand out trophies—they reshaped the Oscar race overnight.
Nikki Glaser’s Monologue: Sharp Jokes, Light Politics
Host Nikki Glaser kept things lively with a sharp, self-aware monologue. While the ceremony largely avoided heavy politics, Glaser delivered pointed jokes about:
- Warner Bros’ box office reliance on Sinners
- Media credibility
- The Trump administration
- CBS itself, which aired the event live
Her humor struck a balance—edgy enough to trend, but not enough to overshadow the night’s winners.
Final Takeaway
The Golden Globes 2026 proved once again why they matter. From Hamnet’s stunning upset to Warner Bros’ clear industry dominance, the ceremony reshaped expectations and added fresh intrigue to the road toward the Oscars.
If this night was any indication, awards season is just getting started—and it’s going to be unpredictable.
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