Golden guesses: Golden Globes return, top contenders announced
Celebrating nearly a century of awards show history, the Golden Globes return, as the 81st Golden Globe Awards airs Sunday, Jan. 7, on CBS.
Often referred to as Hollywood’s “party of the year,” this annual event has earned its spot as the largest awards show in the world, aimed to spotlight and celebrate talent in both film and television. According to Variety magazine, the Globes are growing larger still, as: “This year’s show also boasts two newly added awards, including Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and Best StandUp Comedian on Television.”
Overall, each of the event’s categories will nominate six nominees (an increase from the previous five nominations), save for the fledgling Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category, which will name eight. Overflowing with contenders, this new addition — specifically created for films that have grossed at least $100 million in the U.S. — highlights an ongoing trend of film fanatics excitedly returning to movie theaters nationwide.
Nominees for this new award include “Barbie” (Warner Bros. Pictures), “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures), “John Wick: Chapter 4” (Lionsgate), “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” (Paramount Pictures), “Oppenheimer” (Universal Pictures), “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures Releasing), “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (Universal Pictures) and “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” (Amc Theatres Distribution).
On the film side, nominees for Best Motion Picture – Drama include “Anatomy Of A Fall” (Neon), “Killers Of The Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films), “Maestro” (Netflix), “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives” (A24) and “The Zone Of Interest” (A24). Meanwhile, Best Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy nominees include “Air” (Amazon MGM Studios), “American Fiction” (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios), “Barbie,” “The Holdovers” (Focus Features), “May December” (Netflix), “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures).
Over in the TV world, some of the top contenders include the Best Television Series – Drama nominees, “1923” (Paramount+), “The Crown” (Netflix), “The Diplomat” (Netflix), “The Last Of Us” (HBO/MAX), “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+) and the final season of “Succession” (HBO/MAX). Best Television Series – Musical Or Comedy nominees are “Abbott Elementary” (ABC), “Barry” (HBO/MAX), “The Bear” (FX), “Jury Duty” (Amazon Freevee), “Only Murders In The Building” (Hulu) and “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+). Shows nominated for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television are “All The Light We Cannot See” (Netflix), “Beef ” (Netflix), “Daisy Jones & The Six” (Prime Video), “Fargo” (FX), “Fellow Travelers” (Showtime) and “Lessons In Chemistry” (Apple TV+).
And, we would be remiss to overlook the accomplishment of eight-time Golden Globe winner Meryl Streep (“Only Murders in the Building”), who makes history this year with her record 33 Golden Globe Award nominations.
CBS, the longstanding home of the Grammy Awards, is set to host the event as part of a new deal between the network and the Golden Globes. This should take some viewers back in time, as the network has not been home to The Globes for over 40 years, with its last presentation of the event airing in 1981 and 1982.
“Live entertainment and sports have, and will always be, a hallmark of CBS, and the Globes adds an exciting new dimension to our first quarter schedule this year,” George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS, said.
Making a triumphant return to the network, the 81st Golden Globe Awards airs Sunday, Jan. 7, on CBS.