The historical drama Hamnet pulled off a surprise victory, winning Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes. Discover the story behind the Hamnet movie, its release, and why it’s gaining major awards buzz.
BEVERLY HILLS – In one of the biggest surprises of Hollywood’s awards season, the historical drama Hamnet took home the top prize for Best Motion Picture – Drama at the 2026 Golden Globes. The film, which explores the life of William Shakespeare and his family, triumphed over several high-profile favorites in a dramatic conclusion to the ceremony.
An Intimate Drama Triumphs Over Blockbusters
Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao directs Hamnet, a deeply intimate adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel.
It imagines the emotional and creative toll on William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes (played by Jessie Buckley), after the tragic death of their young son, Hamnet.
The film’s victory shocked many, as it was not the frontrunner in its category. Its win underscores the power of its storytelling and the respect for its craftsmanship among Hollywood’s foreign press voters. Jessie Buckley also won the award for Best Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Agnes.
Director’s Vision and Cast Reception
Upon accepting the award, producer Steven Spielberg praised director Chloe Zhao as “the only filmmaker on the face of the planet who could tell this story.” In her speech, Zhao emphasized the film’s core theme of vulnerability and said that making Hamnet meant “learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen for who we are.
The cast and creative team expressed visible shock and elation at the win. The Hamnet movie win is a major moment.
It highlights thoughtful, character-driven cinema.It stands out in a season of big productions.
Release and Critical Acclaim
The Hamnet released in theaters in late 2025 to strong critical praise. Critics lauded its lyrical direction, powerful performances, and emotional depth. It was not a major box office hit.But it found strong success on the awards circuit.
The Golden Globe win raised its profile.It now stands as a top Oscars contender.
The film’s journey from a celebrated novel to a Golden Globe-winning feature highlights the ongoing appeal of literary adaptations and period dramas that explore universal themes of grief, love, and artistic creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hamnet is a historical drama film that imagines the life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they grapple with the profound grief following the death of their young son, Hamnet. It is based on the bestselling novel by Maggie O’Farrell.
Hamnet released in theaters in late 2025.It built awards momentum through the fall festival circuit.
It later reached a wide public release.
The Hamnet movie was directed by Chloe Zhao, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Nomadland and Eternals.
Hamnet won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama at the 2026 ceremony. Star Jessie Buckley also won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role.
While based on the real-life family of William Shakespeare, Hamnet is a work of historical fiction. We know very little about Shakespeare’s personal life, so the film uses the known fact of his son’s death as a springboard to explore grief and creativity in an imaginative way.
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