Golden Globe Nominations Biggest Surprises

The Golden Globes have announces their nominees for the 81st awards show and we share the biggest surprises of them all.

Atmosphere at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations at The Beverly Hilton on December 11, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.
Atmosphere at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations at The Beverly Hilton on December 11, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

It is award season, and it has begun with some of the bigger award shows, with the Golden Globes announcing their nominations. Every year, we have nominations that deliver shocks, awes, and disappointments. If you are like me, you are listening closely hoping to hear your favorite movies name. With the nominations announced, I share my thoughts on the biggest surprise nominees.

Last year, the Golden Globes kicked off what ended up being the Oppenheimer Awards sweep. It took home five of the night's biggest awards, including Best Motion Picture—Drama, Best Director, and Best Actor. With the split in categories, the Globes allow specific actors or films to potentially re-enter the race for the final push towards the Oscars.

Golden Globe Nominations Biggest Surprises

Denis Villeneuve - Dune: Part Two

rev-1-DUN2-T3-0026r_High_Res_JPEG
(L-r) ZENDAYA as Chani and TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides. in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What in the world is happening? The single best direction of 2024 is Dune: Part Two. The Golden Globes might have had quite a few good surprises, but a Villeneuve miss is terrible. I will not take away from Jacques Audiard, Edward Berger, or Payal Kapadia, but Sean Baker over Denis? No. Brady Corbet might win the Oscar, so he gets a pass, but Coralie Fargeat? No. I will be screaming across all my social media until a recount is made.

Selena Gomez - Best Supporting Actress

7y7a4029
Selena Gomez in Emilia Perez © PAGE 114 – WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS – PATHÉ FILMS - FRANCE 2 CINÉMA - Photographer: Shanna Besson

Everyone has talked about how the world may be overhyping Emilia Perez's love. However, the Globes only solidified what people like me have said, saying that this movie is a serious player. Selena Gomez's getting into the Supporting Actress category is massive for her and her awards prospects. She has a long way to go to get into the five, but I am happy the Globes recognize her.

Sing Sing - Best Motion Picture - Drama and Supporting Actor

Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin
A24's "Sing Sing" Special Screening | Stewart Cook/GettyImages

Clarence Maclin has been one of the frontrunners and even won several big critic groups for his performance in Sing Sing. He had become the frontrunner, and I still think he will be nominated for the Oscar, but this was a big shock for everyone. The Globes didn't love Sing Sing because it only received one nomination, and that was Colman Domingo for Best Actor. Could this be a sign of things to come? I don't think so.

Edward Norton - Best Supporting Actor

Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Monica Barbaro
"A Complete Unknown" - London Photocall | Dave Benett/GettyImages

One of the biggest nominations that helped ease the pain of Denis's snub was Edward Norton's nabbing a nomination for his performance in A Complete Unknown. I loved the film and think Timothee Chalamet is on his way to his first Oscar, but Norton belongs in the conversation. This should jump-start his run, leading to him nabbing an Academy Award nomination.