Golden Globes 2024: ‘Wicked,’ ‘Hamnet,’ and More Vie for Early Awards Season Momentum
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The Golden Globe Awards nominations are set to be announced on Monday, January 8th, at 13:15 GMT, kicking off Hollywood’s awards season and offering a crucial early indicator of Oscar potential. This year’s contenders span a diverse range of genres and feature a wealth of established and rising stars, with a new category recognizing excellence in podcasting added to the mix.
The Contenders: From Blockbusters to Biopics
The field is crowded with potential nominees, starting with highly anticipated blockbusters. Wicked: For Good, concluding the story of the iconic Wicked Witch of the West, is expected to feature prominently in several categories, building on the success of the first Wicked film which secured a box office achievement prize at last year’s Globes. Similarly, Avatar: Fire and Ash, promising a new chapter in the Na’vi saga, is poised for nominations ahead of its Christmas release.
Beyond the tentpoles, a compelling slate of dramas and biopics are in the running. One Battle After Another, a thriller centered on the kidnapping of a revolutionary’s daughter, joins the ranks alongside the 1930s-set vampire drama Sinners and Hamnet, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel exploring the death of William Shakespeare’s son.
Sports enthusiasts will find several biopics of interest, including Marty Supreme, chronicling a table-tennis player’s journey to greatness, Christy, detailing the life of boxer Christy Martin, and The Smashing Machine, focusing on UFC fighter Mark Kerr. These films face competition from a diverse array of titles, including the conspiracy thriller Bugonia, a new adaptation of Frankenstein, the Hollywood satire Jay Kelly, and the music biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere. Further contenders include After The Hunt, a drama addressing sexual assault, Blue Moon, a biopic about Lorenz Hart, A House of Dynamite, a missile thriller, Train Dreams, a study of loneliness, Song Sung Blue, a musical love story, and Is This Thing On?, inspired by the life of John Bishop. A selection of international films – The Secret Agent, No Other Choice, Sentimental Value, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Cry, and It Was Just an Accident – could also break into multiple categories.
The Actors in the Spotlight
With 36 acting nomination slots – significantly more than the Oscars’ 20 – the Golden Globes offer a broader platform for recognizing talent. Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another) could return to the awards circuit, while Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) is a strong contender for his portrayal of a table tennis champion. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, both nominated for their work in the first Wicked film, could see their performances in Wicked: For Good similarly recognized. Sydney Sweeney (Christy) has garnered praise for her depiction of boxer Christy Martin’s tumultuous life.
The potential nominees extend to a wide range of A-listers. Dwayne Johnson could receive recognition for his role in the MMA drama The Smashing Machine, marking a significant awards push for the blockbuster star. George Clooney and Adam Sandler are also in contention for Jay Kelly. Jessie Buckley is considered a frontrunner for Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet, a film that could also earn a nomination for Paul Mescal. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons could also return to the awards conversation for Bugonia. Other actors vying for recognition include Julia Roberts (After The Hunt), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B Jordan (Sinners), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Jeremy Allen White (Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere). Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Hudson, Wagner Moura, Chase Infiniti, and Sean Penn are also likely to be recognized for their respective roles.
Television and the Globes’ Significance
While film dominates the headlines, the Golden Globes also honor television. All eyes will be on the limited series category to see if the British drama Adolescence can replicate its success from the recent Emmy Awards. Other potential contenders include The Pitt, Severance, Slow Horses, and The White Lotus in the drama categories, while The Studio, Hacks, Nobody Wants This, and Abbott Elementary are frontrunners in comedy.
The Golden Globes, often described as the “drunk uncle” of awards season, offer a more relaxed atmosphere than the Oscars. However, their influence is undeniable. Winners gain crucial momentum heading into the Academy Awards voting period, as the ceremony is broadcast on a major US network. Last year’s wins boosted the profiles of actors like Fernanda Torres and Sebastian Stan, and films like I’m Still Here and Flow, which subsequently earned Oscar recognition. The Globes are also known for their often-viral opening monologues, with Nikki Glaser’s performance last year – including a mash-up of Wicked and Conclave – earning her a return hosting gig in 2026.
Despite facing criticism after a 2021 corruption scandal, the Globes have regained their footing, and the upcoming ceremony on January 11th in Los Angeles promises to be a significant event in the Hollywood calendar.
