Hans Zimmer has voiced his disapproval of the Golden Globes' decision to cut the Best Original Score category from its 2026 telecast. The acclaimed composer, known for his work on films like "F1: The Movie," which earned him a nomination this year, expressed his disappointment to Deadline on the red carpet prior to the ceremony.
Zimmer described the decision as "a little bit ignorant," emphasizing the crucial role composers play in filmmaking. He stated, "We are the psychological underbelly of the whole thing". He further elaborated on the importance of a composer's role, noting that composers remind directors "why he did this film in the first place" after the director has been through a metaphorical "war". Zimmer also highlighted the personal sacrifices made by composers, saying his children sometimes don't recognize him after he's been away for months working on a film. Reports indicate that Zimmer said he "wouldn't talk" to the person who decided to cut the category.
The Golden Globes' decision to exclude the Best Original Score presentation from the televised broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ was announced on Friday, January 9, 2026, just days before the ceremony. The reason given was to reduce the program's runtime. Despite the cut, the award was still presented during a commercial break at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. However, the winner was revealed publicly online.
Ludwig Göransson won the Golden Globe for Best Original Score for his work on "Sinners". Göransson has previously won a Golden Globe for his score for "Oppenheimer" in 2024. In his acceptance speech, Göransson thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Cillian Murphy, the musicians who played on the score, and his partner Serena.
The nominees alongside Zimmer and Göransson included Alexandre Desplat ("Frankenstein"), Max Richter ("Hamnet"), Johnny Greenwood ("One Battle After Another"), and Kangding Ray ("Sirāt").
The Golden Globes have undergone numerous changes recently. The awards show has a new broadcast home, moving from NBC to CBS. The move to CBS comes after a challenging period for the Golden Globes, marked by controversies and declining viewership. In 2021, the organization faced criticism for its lack of diversity. NBC refused to broadcast the 2022 show and only entered a one-year contract for the 2023 Golden Globes. In 2024, CBS and The Golden Globe Awards announced a new five-year deal to broadcast the award show on the Network and stream live on Paramount+. In addition to the change in broadcasting, the Golden Globes have also added new award categories.
