Golden Globe Nominations 2025: A Year of Surprises and Snubs

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards nominations were announced on Monday, kicking off awards season with a bang. The nominations, announced by Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut, showcased a mix of expected frontrunners and surprising upsets, leaving many in the industry buzzing. Nikki Glaser will host the ceremony on January 5th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, airing live on CBS.

The Big Winners and Unexpected Nominees

This year’s nominations saw “Emilia Pérez” leading the pack with an impressive 10 nominations, setting the stage for a potentially dominant performance at the awards ceremony. “The Brutalist” also garnered significant attention, signifying a strong showing for both films. However, the real talk of the morning centered around some surprising nominations. Perhaps the most unexpected was Pamela Anderson’s nomination for Best Actress in a Drama for her role in “The Last Showgirl.” This marked her first major award nomination, a testament to her versatile acting talents and a long-overdue recognition of her work. Adding to the excitement, two women directors received nominations — Coralie Fargeat for “The Substance” and Payal Kapadia for “All We Imagine as Light.” In the acting realm, double nominations went to Sebastian Stan (Best Actor in a Drama for “The Apprentice” and Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy for “A Different Man”), and Kate Winslet (Best Actress in a Drama for “Lee” and Best Actress in a Limited TV Series for “The Regime”).

Double Nominations and Genre-Bending Performances

Sebastian Stan's double nomination highlights the versatility of his performances and the sometimes unpredictable nature of the Golden Globe awards. His dual roles—as a younger Donald Trump in “The Apprentice” and a facially disfigured actor in “A Different Man”—demonstrate his range. Similarly, Kate Winslet’s nominations underscore her dedication and consistent high-quality work, as evidenced by her years-long effort to get “Lee,” her biopic about war photographer Lee Miller, made. Winslet's success also extends to the small screen, demonstrating her continued relevance and appeal across platforms.

Notable Snubs and Overlooked Gems

Despite the excitement surrounding some nominations, several notable films and performances were conspicuously absent from the list. This year’s Golden Globes failed to recognize several films centered on Black stories, including “Sing Sing,” “The Piano Lesson,” and “Hard Truths.” While Colman Domingo earned a Best Actor nomination for his role in “Sing Sing,” the film’s other contributions, including Clarence Maclin’s compelling supporting performance, were overlooked. Similarly, the acclaimed performances of Marianne Jean-Baptiste in “Hard Truths” and Danielle Deadwyler in “The Piano Lesson,” which have garnered recognition elsewhere, were strangely omitted from the Golden Globes nominations. The lack of recognition for these powerful films and performances sparked widespread discussion and raised questions about the award’s selection process.

The Case of “Sing Sing” and the Importance of Representation

The absence of “Sing Sing” in major categories is particularly noteworthy. The film's unique approach, using a cast of formerly incarcerated individuals to tell their stories of rehabilitation, highlights the importance of representation in filmmaking and the power of personal narratives. While Colman Domingo’s nomination is commendable, the omission of the supporting actors and the screenplay raises serious concerns about the biases and limitations of awards voting, especially in a year where the diversity of films seemed to be a prominent theme.

Other Notable Snubs

The lack of nominations for other critically acclaimed films such as “Hard Truths,” “The Piano Lesson”, and even “Dune: Part Two” in the Best Director category is a topic that’s generated significant controversy amongst film enthusiasts. The snub of Saoirse Ronan’s excellent performances in both “Blitz” and “The Outrun,” two movies that deserved much more attention than they received, was deeply felt by many viewers. Adding to the list of surprises is the total absence of Paul Mescal for his role in “Gladiator II.” Many believed the movie to be a serious contender for a few categories, but evidently, the film and the acting performance failed to earn a nomination.

The Television Landscape: A Mixed Bag

The television nominations offered a more balanced mix of established hits and fresh faces. “The Bear” led the television nominations with five, solidifying its status as a critical darling. Other notable nominees included “The Diplomat”, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, “Shōgun”, “Slow Horses,” “Squid Game,” and “The Day of the Jackal,” demonstrating the ever-expanding range of high-quality television programming. However, not all anticipated shows made the cut; “Industry” and “Shrinking” are some notable examples. The nominations for “Nobody Wants This” and “The Gentleman,” both Netflix productions, showed the streaming giant's continued presence in awards conversations. The success of “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” in receiving three nominations including one for Cooper Koch for his lead role, reflects the continuing appetite for true crime narratives and the power of well-crafted acting in these often controversial topics.

Surprises and Consistencies in Television

The inclusion of “Squid Game”’s second season, scheduled for release well after the nominations were announced, is another peculiar point for awards season. While the show’s popularity justifies a nomination, the timing raises questions about the selection criteria and the awards' relationship to the broader viewing audience. Similarly, the nomination of Jason Segel and Harrison Ford for “Shrinking,” yet the series' absence from the Best Comedy Series category, highlights the somewhat idiosyncratic nature of the Golden Globe nominations process.

A Look at the Box Office and Beyond: The Unexpected and the Expected

The Box Office Achievement category, designed to acknowledge commercially successful films, once again offered some curious choices. While blockbusters like “Deadpool & Wolverine” were absent, some lesser expected picks such as “Gladiator II” and “Wicked” took their place. The lack of recognition for “Dune: Part Two,” despite its critical and commercial success, is another head-scratcher, particularly given its nomination in the Best Drama category. However, Zimmer’s music for “Dune: Part Two” did score a nomination. The inclusion of “Wicked,” a film that had already garnered numerous nominations, reflects the committee’s interest in recognizing widely-celebrated cinematic achievements, but not necessarily the most financially successful ones.

Anomalies and Highlights

The lack of recognition of some of the best-performing movies of the year in the Box Office category seems rather arbitrary. The absence of “Despicable Me 4,” “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” and “Kung Fu Panda 4” points toward some inconsistencies within the decision-making process of these awards. This year’s Golden Globes once again proved its reputation for being unpredictable and unexpected. However, the overall nomination lists highlight the continuous growth and diversity of film and television and show an ongoing desire to acknowledge diverse narratives and emerging artists.

The Verdict: Still Weird After All These Years!

The 2025 Golden Globe nominations present a fascinating snapshot of the current state of film and television. While some choices are predictable, others are undoubtedly puzzling, highlighting the subjectivity and sometimes unpredictable nature of awards voting. The inclusion of both veteran stars and rising talents, along with a mix of critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects, ensures a diverse and engaging ceremony. However, the notable snubs and the peculiar choices in certain categories continue to fuel the ongoing debate about the fairness and transparency of awards shows. The Golden Globes remain, as they always have been, undeniably, wonderfully, and gloriously weird.