TL;DR: The 2026 Golden Globes just wrapped, and it was the usual mix of high-fashion glam and "did she really just say that?" moments. Nikki Glaser returned as host and, true to form, her monologue was definitely not for the elementary school set. However, the night was a massive win for K-Pop fans with KPop Demon Hunters taking home major hardware, and 16-year-old Owen Cooper making history for the teens.
Here’s the breakdown of what you need to know:
- The NSFW Warning: Nikki Glaser’s opening monologue included jokes about the Epstein list and a very specific pun on Michael B. Jordan’s name that will have you diving for the remote if your kids are in the room.
- The Big Family Win: KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. It’s officially the "cool" movie of the year.
- The Snub: Wicked: For Good was surprisingly shut out of the Best Picture category, though Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo still brought the star power.
- The "Must-Watch" for Parents: Adolescence swept the limited series categories—it's heavy, but brilliant.
If the Oscars are a formal gala, the Golden Globes are the rowdy dinner party where everyone has had one too many glasses of champagne. It’s the first big show of the season, and it’s notorious for being unpredictable. For us parents, it’s basically a three-hour long-form commercial for what we’ll be streaming for the next six months.
The 2026 ceremony (the 83rd annual) leaned hard into the "new Hollywood" vibe. We saw the first-ever award for Best Podcast, won by Good Hang with Amy Poehler, and a heavy focus on global pop culture.
Look, we love Nikki. She’s hilarious, sharp, and fearless. But she is a roast comic at heart. If you’re planning on watching the replay with your kids, be prepared to explain some things you might not want to.
Her 2026 monologue took aim at everything from the Justice Department’s "editing" of the Epstein files to a joke about Michael B. Jordan in the movie Sinners that involved a play on her own name and the word "jerkin'." It was a moment. Even Michael B. Jordan’s mom was caught on camera rolling her eyes.
The Screenwise Take: If you have kids under 14, maybe skip the first 15 minutes of the broadcast and start when the awards begin. Or, read our guide on how to handle award show monologues with kids.
Despite the rowdy hosting, the actual winners included some fantastic content for families.
This was the night’s biggest surprise and biggest delight. It beat out heavy hitters like Zootopia 2 and Elio for Best Animated Motion Picture.
- Why it matters: It’s a high-energy, visually stunning film about a K-Pop girl group that hunts demons. It’s basically Sailor Moon meets Blackpink.
- Age Range: Great for ages 7+. It deals with themes of identity and resilience.
- The Song: The track "Golden" won Best Original Song. Expect to hear it on a loop in your car for the next month.
While it didn't win the big trophy, the buzz around the sequel is massive. If your kids are obsessed with the first one, the sequel is just as "theatrical" and visually dense. It’s a safe bet for a family movie night, provided your kids can sit through a long runtime.
Both stayed in the conversation. Abbott Elementary remains the gold standard for "shows I can actually watch with my kids without cringing," while The Bear continues to be the show we watch after the kids are in bed to feel stressed about things other than parenting.
If you’re looking for your next binge-watch, the Globes pointed to a few clear winners.
This British limited series swept the floor. It’s a raw, intense look at a teenager accused of a crime.
- Parental Note: 16-year-old Owen Cooper won Best Supporting Actor, making him the youngest winner ever. His performance is incredible, but the show is heavy. Think Broadchurch or Top Boy vibes.
- Is it for kids? No. This is for you, or maybe your older teens (16+) if you want to have some very serious conversations about the justice system. Check out our full parent guide for Adolescence
Winning Best Motion Picture - Drama, this Chloe Zhao film is a beautiful, tear-jerker about William Shakespeare's family. It’s art-house, it’s slow, and it’s gorgeous. If your teen is a theater kid or a literature nerd, they might actually love this.
The big winner for TV Drama. It’s a medical drama that feels like a throwback to ER but with a modern, high-stakes edge. Definitely for the 15+ crowd due to medical intensity.
The most "Screenwise" moment of the night didn't come from a joke; it came from the acceptance speech for KPop Demon Hunters.
Singer/songwriter EJAE shared her story of training for 10 years to be a K-Pop idol, only to be rejected and told her voice wasn't good enough. She ended her speech with a line that is already going viral: "Rejection is redirection."
This is a fantastic talking point for kids who are dealing with the pressures of sports, grades, or social circles.
- Ask your kids: "Did you see that singer from the K-Pop movie win? She was told 'no' for ten years. How do you think she kept going?"
- The lesson: Success doesn't always look like the path you originally planned.
The 2026 Golden Globes were a loud, slightly messy, but ultimately culturally relevant start to the year.
Next Steps for Intentional Parents:
- Screen the Monologue: If you're watching the recording with kids, hit the +30 second button a few times during Nikki Glaser's intro.
- Add to Queue: Put KPop Demon Hunters on the list for your next family movie night.
- Check the Stats: Curious if other parents in your community are letting their 12-year-olds watch Adolescence?
Check our community data on age-appropriate ratings for 2026's top shows
Whether you’re here for the K-Pop wins or just trying to figure out if The Studio is worth your limited free time (it is, especially if you like Seth Rogen’s brand of chaos), the 2026 Globes gave us plenty to talk about. Just maybe keep the Michael B. Jordan jokes for the group chat and away from the dinner table.
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