The Shock of the Globes: How Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ Toppled ‘Sinners’!

Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ Stuns at 2026 Golden Globes: Why the ‘Sinners’ Upset Changes Everything!

The 83rd Golden Globe Awards concluded with a shockwave that has recalculated the entire 2026 awards season. While Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic Sinners entered the night as the heavy favorite, it was Chloé Zhao’s intimate Shakespearean drama, Hamnet, that walked away with the night’s most prestigious prize: Best Motion Picture – Drama.

This victory marks a pivotal moment for Zhao, who continues to solidify her legacy as a master of humanistic storytelling, and places Hamnet at the forefront of the upcoming 98th Academy Awards race.

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The Upset of the Year: ‘Hamnet’ vs. ‘Sinners’

Heading into the Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026, all eyes were on Warner Bros.’ Sinners. With its massive box office success and critical acclaim, many expected a sweep. However, the Hollywood Foreign Press (now under its expanded voting body) favored the lyrical, hauntingly beautiful adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestseller.

• The Verdict: Hamnet took home the top drama prize.
• The Competition: Defeated front-runners included Sinners, Frankenstein, and The Secret Agent.
• The Producer’s Touch: Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who co-produced the film, praised Zhao onstage, stating: "There was only one filmmaker on the planet who could tell the story of the spirits of the earth and the forest, and that was Chloé Zhao."

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Why ‘Hamnet’ Won: A Masterclass in Grief and Genius

Unlike traditional biopics, Hamnet focuses on the domestic life of William Shakespeare (played by Paul Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley). The film’s strength lies in its shift of perspective, centering on Agnes and the devastating loss of their son, Hamnet, which eventually inspires the creation of Hamlet.

1. Jessie Buckley’s Career-Defining Performance

The win for Best Motion Picture – Drama was preceded by Jessie Buckley winning Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare—a woman with a supernatural connection to nature—is being hailed as the performance of the year.

2. Chloé Zhao’s Visual Poetry

Zhao, who previously won for Nomadland, used her signature naturalistic style to bring Elizabethan England to life.¹² Critics have noted that her "verdant" and "ethereal" direction turned a period piece into a timeless exploration of human resilience.

3. A Resonant Narrative

In a year of blockbusters, Hamnet resonated because of its emotional vulnerability. During her speech, Zhao quoted lead actor Paul Mescal, saying: "Being an artist is learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen for who we are."

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Impact on the 2026 Oscar Race

With the Golden Globe win, Hamnet has officially moved from "prestige contender" to "the one to beat."

Category	Golden Globe Result	Oscar Prediction
Best Picture	WON	Front-runner
Best Director	Nominated	Top 3 Contender
Best Actress	WON	Heavy Favorite (Buckley)
Best Adapted Screenplay	Nominated	Likely Winner

 

While Sinners still holds strong in technical categories (winning the Globe for Best Original Score and Cinematic/Box Office Achievement), the momentum for the "Big Five" Oscar categories has shifted toward Zhao's camp.

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Other Notable Winners at the 83rd Golden Globes

While Hamnet stole the headlines, the night was a celebration of diverse storytelling:

• Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: One Battle After Another (Dir.¹⁶ Paul Thomas Anderson)
• Best Actor (Drama): Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent)¹⁷
• Best Animated Film: KPop Demon Hunters¹⁸
• Best TV Series (Drama): The Pitt¹⁹

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Final Thoughts

The 2026 Golden Globes proved that high-concept blockbusters like Sinners can coexist with intimate, soul-searching dramas like Hamnet. As we head into the BAFTAs and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, all eyes remain on Chloé Zhao and her "Shakespearean upset."