Golden Globes 2025: A Night of Stars, Surprises, and Streaming Options
The 82nd Golden Globe Awards, Hollywood's most anticipated awards show, graced our screens on Sunday, January 5th, marking the dazzling start of awards season. This year’s ceremony, held at the prestigious Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, promised a night of glamour, surprises, and unforgettable moments. From the star-studded red carpet to the acceptance speeches, the 2025 Golden Globes delivered an evening of captivating entertainment. This year's event was particularly noteworthy for its historic first: Comedian Nikki Glaser took the reins as the first solo female host, bringing her unique brand of humor to the stage.
The Host with the Most: Nikki Glaser Makes History
Nikki Glaser, known for her sharp wit and fearless comedic style, particularly after her memorable roast of Tom Brady in 2024, took on the challenging role of hosting the Golden Globes. Her confident demeanor was evident, as evidenced by her words to Vanity Fair, stating, “I feel nothing but complete assurance and confidence in me being able to do this… No one’s gonna work harder than me at this.” Her performance, a mix of self-deprecating humor and insightful commentary, was widely praised, and Glaser's selection as the first female solo host was considered a historic moment. Glaser added to her already successful night by also being nominated for the award for best performance in a stand-up comedy on TV for her HBO special “Someday You’ll Die.” She commented on the experience in a press release saying, “Hosting the Golden Globes is scary! It’s a well-lit room, which is not conducive to comedy; there are a lot of people I admire, which also is not conducive to comedy. It’s live, so you can’t do retakes.”
Nominees and Winners: A Celebration of Cinematic and Television Excellence
The 2025 Golden Globes featured a diverse range of nominees, showcasing both established talents and rising stars. The film category saw Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s divisive yet captivating musical, lead the pack with an unprecedented ten nominations — the most ever for a musical or comedy entry. The film's success was further highlighted by the nominations of Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña in the supporting-actress category, and Karla Sofía Gascón’s nomination in best actress in a musical or comedy film. Gascón's nomination held particular significance as a win would have marked the first time an out transgender performer claimed a top film-acting Globe. On the drama side, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist followed closely with seven nominations.
Television Triumphs
On the television front, the competition was equally fierce. Returning favorites like The Bear, which garnered five nominations, and Only Murders in the Building, continued their award-season dominance. However, newer entrants like Shōgun, Baby Reindeer, and Nobody Wants This added excitement to the mix. Among the notable acting nominations, Cooper Koch's nomination for his role as Erik Menendez in Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story marked a remarkable achievement for the newcomer. Sebastian Stan secured a unique double nomination for his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice and his comedic role in A Different Man. Adding to the anticipation, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande received nominations for best actress in a musical or comedy film and best supporting actress in a motion picture, respectively.
Lifetime Achievement: Celebrating Hollywood Icons
The Golden Globes also paid tribute to two legendary figures with lifetime-achievement awards. Viola Davis, a powerhouse in both film and theater, received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award for her outstanding contributions to film. The Carol Burnett Award, television's equivalent, was bestowed upon Ted Danson. Both Davis and Danson received their awards in an untelevised ceremony held two nights before the Globes event; however, select clips from their moving speeches were showcased during the televised ceremony. Adding to her already impressive contributions to the night's events, Davis also graced the stage as a presenter.
How to Watch: Catching All the Golden Globe Glory
For viewers eager to witness the spectacle, the 2025 Golden Globes offered a multitude of viewing options. The ceremony aired live on CBS, with the broadcast beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. For cord-cutters, several streaming services, including Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and DirecTV Stream, provided live-streaming access. Paramount+, the official streaming partner for the event, however, required a Showtime add-on for live streaming, with on-demand availability for other subscribers the following day. This underscored the event's importance as a must-watch television event. Many services provided free trials for new subscribers, ensuring no one missed the event.
The Red Carpet and Beyond: A Pre-Show Extravaganza
The excitement leading up to the main event began with an official red carpet pre-show, capturing the glamour and anticipation as nominees and presenters arrived in their finest attire. This pre-show, hosted by Entertainment Tonight and Variety, started at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET and was available across Variety, ET, and Penske Media platforms. This amplified anticipation for the night's events before the awards show itself.
A Night to Remember: A Recap of the Golden Globes 2025
In conclusion, the 2025 Golden Globe Awards delivered an unforgettable night of entertainment, memorable moments, and a celebration of outstanding achievements in film and television. With its stellar lineup of presenters, the ground-breaking choice of host, and the many noteworthy nominations, this year's show served as a triumphant return and a promising start to the awards season. The various viewing options ensured global audiences could participate in the dazzling spectacle, making it a truly unmissable event.
