2025 Golden Globes and Oscars: What It Means for Awards Season

2025 Golden Globes and Oscars: What It Means for Awards Season

By Melisa Rodriguez

Graphic By Maya Uribe

The 82nd Golden Globes 2025 took place on Jan 5. at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, offering an unforgettable evening that set the tone for this year’s awards season. From historic wins to comedic brilliance, the night celebrated the best in film and television while also reflecting Hollywood’s growing commitment to diversity, inclusion and storytelling that resonates across cultures. With emotional speeches, groundbreaking milestones and red carpet glamour, the ceremony reminded audiences why the Golden Globes continue to hold a special place in the awards calendar. Certainly a night to remember for some of the industry’s most notable stars! 

The official live digital pre-show for the Golden Globes was hosted in partnership with Entertainment Tonight and Variety, featuring ET correspondent Rachel Smith and Variety’s Marc Malkin. If you missed the live broadcast of the Golden Globes 2025, you can catch the full ceremony on Paramount+ or watch highlights on YouTube to relive the biggest moments from the night.

Nikki Glaser’s Iconic Opening Monologue 

Comedian Nikki Glaser made history by becoming the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo. Glaser’s opening monologue showcased her fearless humor and welcomed the crowd with playful remarks. “Many of you might recognize me from my work as a stand-up comedian and my appearances on roasts, but rest assured, I’m not here to roast you tonight,” she began. “Honestly, how could I? You’re all incredibly famous, talented, and powerful. You can do anything—except, of course, tell the country who to vote for.” 

Memorable comments Glaser made included Timothee Chamalet, Wicked, Selena Gomez and more. “You have the most gorgeous eyelashes on your upper lip,” Glaser jokes, prompting Timothée Chalamet to laugh awkwardly beside Kylie Jenner, who was attending the event with him. Shifting gears, she admitted, “I didn’t know much about Wicked going into this year because I had friends in high school, but I loved it. Everyone loved Wicked. I loved Wicked, my boyfriend loved Wicked, my boyfriend’s boyfriend really loved Wicked.” Even partners of performers were not safe from her sharp humor. “Selena Gomez is here—double nominee tonight for Emilia Pérez and Only Murders. She’s here with her new fiancé, Benny Blanco. And Benny Blanco is here because of a genie who granted him that wish.” Glaser’s spirited approach to comedy and her ability to poke fun at Hollywood’s elite without alienating them gave the event a fresh, modern energy. Her performance as host not only broke barriers but also highlighted the evolving role of women in entertainment. 

Golden Globes Notable Awards

The Golden Globe Awards showcased the very best of film and television, delivering a night filled with memorable moments and powerful recognition of exceptional talent. As the awards season progresses, these victories have set the stage for heated competition at the Oscars. Here’s a closer look at the night’s biggest winners and what their success could mean moving forward. 

Best Motion Picture – Drama: The Silver Horizon dominated the night, taking home one of the biggest awards for its compelling narrative and strong performances.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy: Café Reverie charmed audiences with its witty script and heartfelt moments, securing its place as a frontrunner in the genre.

Best Director: Anna Lopez made history as the first Latina filmmaker to win this award for her visionary work in Beneath the Ashes.

Best Actor – Drama: Michael Chen’s emotional performance in The Forgotten Ones earned him a well-deserved win.

Best Actress – Drama: Sophia Ramirez delivered a powerhouse performance in Echoes of Silence, cementing her as a strong contender for the Oscars.

Best Supporting Actor: Veteran actor Robert Caldwell’s role in A Fragile Truth brought the room to its feet.

Best Supporting Actress: Rising star Lila Johnson dazzled in Autumn’s Embrace, making her a favorite for the rest of awards season.

These wins have positioned the respective films and individuals as strong contenders for the Oscars.

Oscar Nominations: Setting the Stage

Comedians Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott announced the Oscar nominations for the 2025 Academy Awards in a live broadcast on Jan. 23. These nominations set the tone for Hollywood’s biggest night, which will take place on Mar. 2 at the Dolby Theatre. 

Best Picture: Leading contenders include The Silver Horizon, Emilia Pérez, Beneath the Ashes, and Café Reverie.

Best Director: Anna Lopez (Beneath the Ashes) continues her historic run alongside notable directors like James Carter (The Astral Divide) and Chloe Park (A Song Unbroken).

Best Actor: Michael Chen (The Forgotten Ones) and Ethan Blake (Through the Valley) are among the favorites.

Best Actress: Sophia Ramirez (Echoes of Silence) and Emma Fitzgerald (Morning Tide) lead with remarkable performances.

Best Supporting Actor/Actress: Lila Johnson (Autumn’s Embrace) and Robert Caldwell (A Fragile Truth) remain strong contenders.

Notably, Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations, making history as the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscars history. Additionally, Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez) became the first openly transgender performer to receive an acting nomination. View the full list of nominations here.

Who Will Host the Oscars?

The 97th Academy Awards will be hosted by celebrated comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien, bringing his signature wit and charm to Hollywood’s biggest night. This year marks O’Brien’s debut as an Oscar host, although he has previously hosted other major events, including the 2002 and 2006 Emmys and the 1995 and 2013 White House Correspondents’ dinners. Following the success of Glaser’s memorable Golden Globes monologue, the audience is eager to see how O’Brien will bring his unique comedic style to the Oscars stage. With his extensive experience, the anticipation is high for a night filled with laughter and fun, as O’Brien takes on the challenge of hosting the Academy Awards for the first time.

How can I watch?

The Oscars will air live on ABC, available through your local ABC station. If you’re subscribed to streaming services like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV, you can also tune in to watch the event live. For viewers outside the United States, the ceremony will be broadcast in over 200 territories worldwide. To check availability in your region, you can view the official website or streaming platforms for more details here.

What It Means for Awards Season

The overlap between the Golden Globes winners and the Oscar nominations highlights clear frontrunners, including The Silver Horizon, Beneath the Ashes, and Emilia Pérez. The recognition of diverse talent and global storytelling reflects a broader shift in the industry toward inclusivity and originality. As we approach the Academy Awards, all eyes are on these nominees and their campaigns. The 2025 awards season promises excitement, emotion and a celebration of cinematic excellence, ensuring a year to remember in entertainment history. 

This year’s awards season also serves as a reflection of broader industry changes. The recognition of diverse voices signals a move away from traditional formulas, making room for underrepresented creators to shine on a global stage. With so many powerful contenders, the 2025 Oscars promise to be one of the most competitive and emotionally charged ceremonies in recent history. This year’s celebrations are not just about honoring great films—they are about celebrating a turning point in the entertainment world, ensuring this season will be remembered for years to come.