Golden Globes 2026: “One Battle After Another” Wins Best Musical or Comedy Film
Typically when a movie sweeps an awards show, it feels a little boring. We get it, the Academy loves a biopic. But the vibe at the Golden Globes 2026 ceremony at the Beverly Hilton was different this year. When “One Battle After Another” became the headline of the night, it didn’t feel like a stuffy industry obligation – it actually felt like a victory lap for a film that managed to bridge the gap between “high art” and “internet meme culture.”
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Epic Project
Hosted by the always-sharp Nikki Glaser, the night saw Paul Thomas Anderson’s action-packed epic take home the top prize for Best Picture, Musical or Comedy. But if you’ve been paying attention to the trajectory of this film, you know this win wasn’t just about the trophy. It was about cementing a legacy.
How “One Battle After Another” Conquered the Competition
The competition in the Musical or Comedy category wasn’t exactly light work. We’re talking about a lineup that included Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” and the Safdie brothers’ “Marty Supreme.” Even Julia Roberts, presenting the award, had to admit that it was very tough competition in this category.
Yet, “One Battle After Another” cleared the board. It wasn’t just the Best Picture win. Teyana Taylor, who has arguably delivered the performance of the year as Perfidia Beverly Hills, snatched Best Supporting Female Actor. Seeing her get her flowers on that stage felt like a long time coming. Then you had Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA) picking up Best Director and Best Screenplay. Way to go!
For Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been openly thirsting to work with Anderson for two decades, this project was a gamble that paid off. He told Esquire back in August that he loved the idea of playing a “washed-up revolutionary,” and clearly, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association loved it, too.
The Emotional Tribute That Stole the 2026 Golden Globes Show
While the wins were expected, the speeches brought a level of humanity we don’t always see at the Golden Globes. This wasn’t just actors patting themselves on the back. When producer Sara Murphy took the mic, she dedicated the night’s success to Adam Somner, the film’s first assistant director and producer who tragically passed away from thyroid cancer in late 2024.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Murphy called the production a “once in a lifetime” experience, largely due to Somner. PTA followed suit during his directing speech, holding back emotion to call Somner “the best” assistant anyone could ask for. “He’s why I’m standing here,” Anderson said. It was a sobering reminder that behind every “cinematic masterpiece” is a crew of people pouring their lives into the frames. It grounded the glitz of the evening in something real and heartbreaking.
From Memes to Statues: The Pop Culture Impact
Here is the thing about “One Battle After Another”: it’s not just an awards darling; it’s a legit cultural phenomenon. Usually, these two things are mutually exclusive. But this is a movie that inspired thousands of Halloween costumes last year. We saw endless TikToks of people imitating Sean Penn’s bizarre, distinct walk as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw.
Benicio Del Toro even admitted he knew the film was a hit when random strangers started quoting lines to him. When a film can dominate the 2026 Golden Globes, like “One Battle After Another,” it proves that you don’t have to choose between being a “serious film” and being fun enough to meme into oblivion.
Is “One Battle After Another” a Lock for the Oscars?
So, what does this mean for the big show? If history is any indicator, the 2026 Golden Globes are a solid precursor. With the Critics Choice Award already in the bag and a record number of SAG nominations, “One Battle After Another” is truly looking like an unstoppable juggernaut.
Its biggest threat, Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” actually stumbled at the Globes, losing Best Drama to Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.” That upset clears a massive path for PTA and company. Unless the Academy decides to pull a massive swerve, we are looking at the clear frontrunner. The film subverts expectations, tackles imperialism, and features DiCaprio in a role that deconstructs his own stardom. It’s catnip for voters.
Ultimately, the 2026 ceremony will be remembered as the night the industry finally gave director PTA his due. He didn’t receive it for a quiet, art-house indie, but for a massive, loud, and absolutely meme-able flick.
