81st Golden Globes 2024: Margot Robbie, Bradley Cooper and More – The Standouts, Snubs, and Shock Winners Revealed

Lights, camera, Golden Globes! The 81st Golden Globes Awards ceremony extravaganza has wrapped, celebrating the shining stars of television and film. Comedian Jo Koy was this year’s host, taking center stage at the glitzy Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, following a dazzling red carpet affair.

With the Hollywood Foreign Press Association honoring both film and television categories, fans were on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the recognition of standout performances. While many anticipated winners claimed their well-deserved prizes, unexpected snubs and surprising victories stole the spotlight, making it a rollercoaster of surprises. Let’s dive into some of these unpredictable moments.

‘Poor Things’ snagged the trophy over ‘Barbie’

It seemed that Greta Gerwig‘s “Barbie” couldn’t quite win over the Golden Globes’ favor. Despite vying for the best musical or comedy motion picture award, “Poor Things” walked away with the trophy. Despite being one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, it only managed to secure two wins out of its nine prominent nominations.

The blockbuster sensation snagged a fresh award for cinematic and box office achievement, triumphing over Taylor Swift‘s “Eras Tour” concert film and other contenders. Meanwhile, Billie Eilish‘s “What Was I Made For?” clinched the coveted Best Original Song award.

‘Oppenheimer’ reigns supreme, sweeps Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director

Joining the party, “Oppenheimer,” the other half of the Barbenheimer duo, earned an impressive eight nominations, landing the second-highest count for any movie or TV show. Securing the crown for Best Drama Motion Picture, “Oppenheimer” outshone other formidable contenders like Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein biopic ‘Maestro’.

In a star-studded lineup, “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan, secured the Best Director award for “Oppenheimer.” Leveraging his success, Nolan persuaded Universal to fund a $100 million drama centered around a physicist. Cillian Murphy, portraying the contemplative scientist, earned the title of Best Actor in a Drama. The film was also acknowledged for its captivating and atmospheric score.

Actor Robert Downey Jr. and the film’s composer, Ludwig Göransson, were honored with Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor in a Male Role and Best Original Score in a Motion Picture, respectively, as they graciously accepted their awards. It was a night of triumph and glitz for the big screen’s best and brightest.

Anatomy of a Fall wins Best Screenplay over Past Lives and Oppenheimer

The surprise on Justine Triet‘s face was evident when her name, alongside partner Arthur Harrari, was announced for the Best Screenplay award. Their French courtroom drama had been gaining traction throughout the awards season, beginning with its Palme d’Or win at the Cannes Film Festival in May and recent success at the European Film Awards.

However, few anticipated “Anatomy of a Fall” to emerge victorious in a highly competitive category like Best Screenplay, facing strong contenders like “Barbie” and “Past Lives.” Moreover, the film also secured a significant win for Best Picture in the Non-English Language category.

Elizabeth Debicki emerged victorious over Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep was a frontrunner to win, thanks to her role in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” However, it was Aussie actor Debicki, renowned for her portrayal of the ill-fated Princess Diana in the final season of “The Crown,” who was anointed Best Supporting Actress in a Drama. It seems The Crown’s portrayal of Diana continues to captivate the Globes, as Emma Corrin previously secured the Best Actress award for portraying the same role in Season 4 in 2021.

Lily Gladstone wins in Best Actress race

Lily Gladstone was honored as the Best Female Actor in a Drama for her portrayal of an Osage woman facing adversity due to her oil wealth in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” She made history with her win, delivering part of her acceptance speech in the Blackfeet language to honor her Native American heritage.

In contrast, Sandra Hüller‘s role in “Anatomy of a Fall” is sharper and more intense, leading many to anticipate her triumphant win. However, the film excelled in other award categories instead.

Emma Stone won the Best Female Actor in a comedy for her performance as Bella Baxter in “Poor Things,” portraying a childlike woman navigating a journey of emotional and sexual exploration. Stone shared that her role prompted her to perceive life from a new perspective, acknowledging how her character embraced both the positive and negative aspects equally.

Additionally, Paul Giamatti, awarded as the Best Actor in a Comedy for his role as a sharp-tongued prep school instructor in “The Holdovers,” dedicated his win to teachers, emphasizing the importance of respecting their challenging yet crucial role in society.

A victorious night for television

It was a victorious night for television as well, “The Bear” and “Beef” both clinched numerous Golden Globes, showcasing their small screen prowess.

“Beef,” a dramedy exploring the fallout of a road rage incident, claimed three awards at the Golden Globes. It secured the title of Best Limited Series and earned accolades for the performances of Ali Wong and Steven Yeun.

Show creator Lee Sung Jin expressed gratitude to the actual driver whose experience inspired the series. Ali Wong, a stand-up comedian, and actress made history at the 81st Golden Globe by becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the award for Best Performance in a Limited Series, Anthology series, or Motion Picture made for Television.

Success for Succession

“Succession,” a piercing portrayal of a Murdoch-like tycoon and his dysfunctional family, secured a top spot with four awards, notably clinching the prize for Best Drama series. The series concluded its four-season journey in May.

Matthew Macfadyen, awarded for Best Supporting Actor, expressed his delight, mentioning his enjoyment in portraying the eccentric character of Tom Wambsgans. His co-stars, including the best drama actress winner Sarah Snook, shared in the celebration. Kieran Culkin, portraying Roman Roy, secured the Best Actor trophy over fellow cast members Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong.

Airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ and the CBS app, the ceremony marked a spectacular comeback, pulling in the highest ratings in years. Nielsen estimated a whopping viewership of 9.4 million, setting the stage for a thrilling night of glitz and glam.

Below is the complete list of major winners.

Best Motion Picture, Drama- Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures)

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy- Poor Things (Searchlight Pictures)

Best Director, Motion Picture- Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture- Anatomy of a Fall (Justine Triet, Arthur Harari)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama- Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama- Lily Gladstonev (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy- Emma Stone (Poor Things)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy– Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers)

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture- Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)

Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture- Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)

Best Television Series, Drama- Succession (HBO)

Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy- The Bear (FX)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama- Kieran Culkin (Succession)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama- Sarah Snook- (Succession)

Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy- Ayo Edebiri (The Bear)

Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy- Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Best Supporting Actor, Television- Matthew Macfadyen (Succession)

Best Supporting Actress, Television- Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown)

Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television- Beef

Best Performance by an Actor, Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television- Steven Yeun (Beef)

Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television- Ali Wong (Beef)

Best Original Score, Motion Picture- Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer)

Best Picture, Non-English Language- Anatomy of a Fall (Neon)- France

Best Original Song, Motion Picture- Barbie” — “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas

Best Motion Picture, Animated- The Boy and the Heron (GKids)

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy or Television- Ricky Gervais (Ricky Gervais: Armageddon)

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement- Barbie (Warner Bros.)