Breaking Through: First-Time Golden Globe Nominees on Their Historic Moments
When the 2026 Golden Globe nominations were announced Monday morning, 27 performers heard their names called for the first time—marking career-defining moments for established stars and breakthrough newcomers alike.
Among this year's historic group of first-time nominees are action icon Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, acclaimed actress Tessa Thompson, Marvel star Michael B. Jordan, and rising talent Chase Infiniti. Their nominations represent not just personal achievements, but significant shifts in how Hollywood recognizes dramatic transformations and diverse storytelling.
The Numbers Tell the Story
27 first-time Golden Globe nominees were recognized in the 2026 ceremony, spanning from industry veterans to relative newcomers. This marks one of the most diverse groups of debut nominees in recent Golden Globe history, with performers from action franchises, independent cinema, and streaming platforms earning recognition.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
The Smashing Machine
Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Perhaps the most surprising and significant nomination of the morning went to Dwayne Johnson, who earned his first major awards recognition for his dramatic turn as MMA legend Mark Kerr in A24's "The Smashing Machine."
The nomination represents a dramatic departure from Johnson's typical blockbuster fare. Known globally for action franchises like "Fast & Furious" and family-friendly projects, Johnson stripped away the charisma and bravado to deliver what critics are calling the performance of his career—one marked by restraint, vulnerability, and raw emotional power.
The Context: "The Smashing Machine" grossed only $21 million worldwide on a $50 million budget, making it a commercial disappointment. Yet Johnson's performance resonated where it mattered most—with critics and awards voters who recognized his willingness to take risks and showcase dramatic range beyond his action-hero persona.
Johnson faces formidable competition in the Best Actor Drama category, going up against Joel Edgerton ("Train Dreams"), Oscar Isaac ("Frankenstein"), Michael B. Jordan ("Sinners"), Wagner Moura ("The Secret Agent"), and Jeremy Allen White ("Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere").
The nomination couldn't come at a more interesting time in Johnson's career. Currently absent from WWE programming and focused on his film slate—including the live-action "Moana," "Jumanji 3," and projects with Martin Scorsese—this Golden Globe nod validates Johnson's pivot toward more challenging, dramatic material.
What This Means: For years, Johnson has been Hollywood's most bankable action star, but awards recognition eluded him. This nomination signals that the industry is finally ready to see him as more than a franchise player. It's reminiscent of Matthew McConaughey's "McConaissance" or Adam Sandler's dramatic turns—established stars proving they can do more than what made them famous.
Johnson's co-star Emily Blunt also earned a surprise nomination for Best Supporting Actress, making "The Smashing Machine" a genuine awards contender despite its box office struggles.
Michael B. Jordan
Sinners
Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Michael B. Jordan's first Golden Globe nomination comes for his starring role in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners," a vampire thriller set in the segregated South. The recognition marks a significant moment for an actor who has delivered powerful performances throughout his career, from "Fruitvale Station" to "Creed" to "Black Panther," yet never received Golden Globe recognition—until now.
"Sinners" reunites Jordan with director Ryan Coogler, who also earned a Best Director nomination. The film, distributed by Warner Bros., earned seven total nominations including Best Motion Picture – Drama, making it one of the morning's major players.
The Film: "Sinners" blends genre storytelling with historical drama, using the vampire narrative as a lens to examine race, power, and survival in Jim Crow-era America. Jordan's performance has been praised for bringing both physicality and emotional depth to a role that demands he navigate horror elements while grounding the story in painful historical reality.
Jordan's nomination is particularly significant given his already-acclaimed body of work. His collaborations with Coogler—from "Fruitvale Station" to "Black Panther" and now "Sinners"—represent some of the most important Black cinema of the past decade. This Golden Globe nod feels like long-overdue recognition for an actor who has consistently delivered excellence.
The film also earned a nomination for Best Original Song with "I Lied to You," composed by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson, adding soul and R&B excellence to the awards conversation.
Tessa Thompson
Hedda
Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama
Tessa Thompson earned her first Golden Globe nomination for her lead role in "Hedda," described as a "lush Ibsen adaptation" that showcases Thompson's range in classical material.
Thompson, known for her work in both blockbusters ("Thor" franchise, "Creed" series) and critically acclaimed independent films ("Sorry to Bother You," "Passing"), has long been recognized as one of Hollywood's most versatile performers. Her nomination for "Hedda" acknowledges her ability to command the screen in prestige drama.
Career Context: Thompson has built a career defined by intelligent choices—balancing Marvel tentpoles with challenging independent work, using her platform to champion diverse stories and filmmakers. Her Golden Globe nomination represents recognition not just for one performance, but for a body of work that demonstrates commitment to craft and storytelling.
In the Best Actress Drama category, Thompson faces competition from Jessie Buckley ("Hamnet"), Jennifer Lawrence ("Die My Love"), Renate Reinsve ("Sentimental Value"), Julia Roberts ("After the Hunt"), and Eva Victor ("Sorry, Baby")—making it one of the most competitive actress categories in recent memory.
Thompson's nomination continues a strong year for Black actresses in dramatic roles, following Cynthia Erivo's historic double nomination in the Musical/Comedy category.
Chase Infiniti
One Battle After Another
Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical/Comedy
Perhaps the most surprising nomination of the morning went to Chase Infiniti, a relative newcomer who earned recognition for her performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another"—the film that dominated Monday's announcements with nine total nominations.
Infiniti's nomination represents the Golden Globes' willingness to champion breakthrough performances alongside established stars. In the Best Actress Musical/Comedy category, she competes against industry heavyweights including Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I'd Kick You"), Cynthia Erivo ("Wicked: For Good"), Kate Hudson ("Song Sung Blue"), Amanda Seyfried ("The Testament of Ann Lee"), and Emma Stone ("Bugonia").
The Film's Success: "One Battle After Another," Paul Thomas Anderson's political thriller described as "a blisteringly funny look at a repressive society riven by political violence," led all nominees with nine nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting nominations for Leonardo DiCaprio (Lead Actor), Infiniti (Lead Actress), and supporting nods for Teyana Taylor, Benicio Del Toro, and Sean Penn.
Anderson has a history of launching careers through his films—from Philip Seymour Hoffman to Daniel Day-Lewis to Alana Haim. Infiniti's nomination suggests she may be the latest performer elevated by working with one of cinema's master filmmakers.
The nomination is particularly notable given that industry observers had Infiniti as a long-shot for recognition. Her inclusion demonstrates the Golden Globes' expanded voting body's willingness to embrace fresh talent and unexpected choices.
"These nominations represent more than individual achievements—they signal Hollywood's evolving understanding of what constitutes award-worthy performances."
The Broader Picture: What These Nominations Mean
The 27 first-time nominees announced Monday morning tell a larger story about shifts in Hollywood's awards landscape:
Genre Recognition
Johnson's dramatic nomination and Jordan's vampire thriller recognition demonstrate that awards voters are increasingly willing to look beyond traditional prestige pictures. Action stars doing drama and genre films with serious themes are no longer automatically excluded from consideration.
Diverse Storytelling
With multiple Black performers earning first-time nominations—including Johnson, Jordan, Thompson, and "One Battle After Another" supporting actress nominee Teyana Taylor—the 2026 Golden Globes reflect a broader range of stories and perspectives than in previous years.
Indie and Streaming Parity
First-time nominees come from across the industry spectrum: A24 ("The Smashing Machine"), Warner Bros. ("Sinners," "One Battle After Another"), and independent distributors, showing that quality performances are being recognized regardless of release strategy or budget size.
Warner Bros. Continues to Lead
Warner Bros.' strong showing in these nominations—with Jordan's "Sinners" and the cast of "One Battle After Another" earning multiple nods—demonstrates the studio's commitment to diverse, quality storytelling. Combined with HBO's television nominations, Warner Bros. earned 31 total nominations, second only to Netflix's 35.
Other Notable First-Time Nominees
Beyond the four performers highlighted above, this year's first-time nominee class includes:
Paul Mescal ("Hamnet") - The Irish actor continues his ascent with a Best Supporting Actor nomination
Rhea Seehorn ("Pluribus") - The "Better Call Saul" veteran finally gets awards recognition
Britt Lower ("Severance") - Earning recognition for the hit Apple TV+ series
Tramell Tillman ("Severance") - Also nominated for the dystopian workplace drama
Aimee Lou Wood ("The White Lotus") - Breakout performance in the anthology series
Bill Maher - Veteran comedian earning his first Globe nod for stand-up
Looking Ahead: The Road to January 11
The 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser for the second consecutive year.
For these first-time nominees, the next month will be a whirlwind of press interviews, awards campaign events, and industry gatherings—all building toward a ceremony that could validate career transformations (Johnson), reward long-deserved recognition (Jordan, Thompson), or launch a newcomer into stardom (Infiniti).
Historical Context: First-time Golden Globe nominees often go on to Oscar nominations, with the Globes serving as the official kickoff to awards season. Last year's Globe nominations accurately predicted several eventual Oscar nominees, making Monday's announcements crucial for understanding potential Academy Award frontrunners.
As awards season progresses, these performers will face additional scrutiny and opportunities. The Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and BAFTA nominations will all factor into their Oscar chances—but for now, they can celebrate earning recognition from the Golden Globes, Hollywood's self-proclaimed "Party of the Year."
What Comes Next
In the coming weeks, we'll hear more from these nominees as they navigate awards season. Press tours, industry events, and interviews will provide opportunities for them to discuss their craft, their career journeys, and what these nominations mean to them personally and professionally.
For Johnson, it's validation that his risk to step away from guaranteed blockbuster paydays for challenging dramatic work has paid off artistically, even if "The Smashing Machine" didn't succeed commercially. For Jordan, it's recognition for continuing to push boundaries in how Black stories are told. For Thompson, it's acknowledgment of her consistent excellence across genres. And for Infiniti, it's a career-launching moment that most actors only dream about.
The Golden Globes may be "just the beginning" of awards season, but for first-time nominees, there's nothing "just" about it. These are career-defining moments, and Monday morning gave 27 performers something they'll remember for the rest of their lives: the first time the Hollywood Foreign Press Association—now the expanded Golden Globes voting body—said their work deserved to be celebrated alongside the industry's finest.
"In a year of exceptional performances across all categories, these first-time nominees prove that talent, risk-taking, and authentic storytelling still break through."