The Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama went to director Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” on Sunday night, capping off a competitive and vibrant ceremony. This year’s drama lineup reflected a striking range of tones and ambitions, from auteur-driven literary adaptations to unexpected cross-genre filmmaking. The award was accepted by Zhao and producer Steven Spielberg.
“I loved the book [by Maggie O’Farrell], but I felt there was really only one filmmaker on the face of the planet who could tell the story of Agnes and Will and the spirits of the earth and the forest,” said Spielberg. And that was the exceptional Chloé Zhao.”
“The village of ‘Hamnet’ that made this film together, some of them lost their loved ones while we were making this film and some of them are still struggling,” began Zhao. “So we just want to say that we’re thinking of you. We’re here because of you and we love you and miss you.” The filmmaker went on to share a conversation she had with “Hamnet” actor Paul Mescal earlier that day.
“He said that making ‘Hamnet’ made him realize that the most important thing of being an artist is learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen for who we are, not who we ought to be, and to give ourselves fully to the world. Even the parts of ourselves that we’re ashamed of, or that we’re afraid of, or that are imperfect. So the people we speak to, they can also learn to see themselves and fully accept themselves,” she said.
Other nominees included Netflix’s fresh take on “Frankenstein,” from Guillermo del Toro and a trio of Neon-backed contenders: Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent,” and Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value.” Warner Bros. rounded out the field with Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” a release that blurred the line between prestige period piece and vampire horror.
“I look around this room, and here’s so many of you that I have known for many, many years, my incredible fellow nominees,” Zhao continued. “I see so many of you have become so strong and tender at the same time. You have shared so much of yourselves in your work to the world. So I salute your bravery and I salute your dedication. Let’s do this together. Let’s keep our hearts open. Let’s keep seeing each other. Let’s keep allowing ourselves to be seen.”
Earlier, “Hamnet” star Jessie Buckley won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, and her co-star Mescal was nominated for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture. Zhao, who was also honored with a nod for Best Director – Drama, saw her film earn six total nominations — including Best Screenplay and Best Original Score.
The night’s final category was announced by four-time Golden Globe honoree George Clooney and two-time winner Don Cheadle. The actors jokingly bickered about their history with the ceremony, with Cheadle remarking that Clooney hadn’t won since 2026 winner Timothée Chalamet was 3 years old.
Best Picture – Drama entered the weekend without a clear consensus favorite. Several nominees arrived with strong critical support, others with significant festival momentum, and many with performances that could factor heavily into upcoming Academy Awards conversations. Looking ahead to the Oscars, it was an especially good showing for Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which won four Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
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