In 2021, the Golden Globes, not the Oscars, will be airing at the end of February. In a normal year, the Golden Globes would have aired in January, and the Oscar contenders would have been making one last push for votes right about now.
However, this year has been nowhere near normal. Between theater closings and streaming wars, the way we watch movies and television changed dramatically. By now, I would have seen 95% of films nominated at the Golden Globes. Now, I’m playing catch up.
Let’s not skip ahead to the Oscars just yet. The Golden Globes nominations will be announced on Feb. 3. I wrote this last year, but the same principles apply when predicting nominations.
- The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) loves to spotlight new shows and talent. Ask yourself “What dominated pop culture,” or as the kids say, “What’s hot in the streets?”
- The HFPA LOVE stars. If there’s an A-list star in a movie or television show, whether it’s good or bad, there’s a solid chance they’re getting a nomination in order to guarantee their attendance. NOTE: I have no idea if there will be people in attendance so this guideline may adust. However, stars on Zoom calls are better than no stars at all.
- The Golden Globes don’t predict Oscar winners, but it’s a good barometer. For example, Joaquin Phoenix, Renée Zellweger, Brad Pitt, and Laura Dern all won in their respective categories before going on to win at the Oscars.
With so much unknown, my confidence meter is lower than usual in both film and television. Despite my lack of belief, I trust my gut when it comes to a few of my standout predictions.
- Hamilton – Voters are going to love it.
- Leslie Odom Jr. is going to receive three individual nominations in three separate categories.
- Chadwick Boseman will be a double nominee, and he’ll win Best Actor in a Drama.
- I’m buying the Bridgerton hype especially for Best Series, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
- Borat will be well-represented and could sweep Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical, Best Actress in a Comedy Musical, and Best Comedy/Musical
- Dave Burd is my long shot to not only receive an acting nomination, but win the category.
Below are my full predictions.
GOLDEN GLOBES – FILM
BEST MOTION PICTURE — DRAMA
- The Trial of the Chicago
- Nomadland
- Mank
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- The Father
BEST MOTION PICTURE — MUSICAL or COMEDY
- Hamilton
- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
- Palm Springs
- On the Rocks
- The Prom
BEST ACTOR – DRAMA
- Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Gary Oldman, Mank
- Anthony Hopkins, The Father
- Delroy Lindo, Da 5 Bloods
- Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA
- Frances McDormand, Nomadland
- Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
- Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
- Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
- Zendaya, Malcolm and Marie
BEST ACTOR – COMEDY/MUSICAL
- Sacha Baron Cohen, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
- Andy Samberg, Palm Springs
- Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
- Pete Davidson, The King of Staten Island
- Leslie Odom, Jr., Hamilton
BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY/MUSICAL
- Meryl Streep, The Prom
- Michelle Pfeiffer, French Exit
- Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
- Anya Taylor-Joy, Emma
- Cristin Milioti, Palm Springs
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
- Leslie Odom, Jr., One Night in Miami
- Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago
- Bill Murray, On the Rocks
- Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
- Chadwick Boseman, Da 5 Bloods
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
- Amanda Seyfried, Mank
- Olivia Colman, The Father
- Ellen Burstyn, Pieces of a Woman
- Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
- Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton
BEST DIRECTOR
- David Fincher, Mank
- Chloe Zhao, Nomadland
- Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago
- Spike Lee, Da 5 Bloods
- Regina King, One Night in Miami
BEST SCREENPLAY
- The Trial of the Chicago
- Nomadland
- Mank
- One Night in Miami
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
I have not studied the submissions yet for this category. However, Leslie Odom Jr. is going to be nominated for a song from One Night in Miami. Look out for Taylor Swift in this category as well.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
- Tenet
- Mank
- Soul
- Hillbilly Elegy
- News of the World
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
- Minari
- Bacurau
- The Life Ahead
- Another Round
- Dear Comrades
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
- Soul
- Wolfwalkers
- Over the Moon
- Onward
- The Willoughbys
GOLDEN GLOBES – TELEVISION
BEST TELEVISION SERIES — DRAMA
- The Crown
- The Mandalorian
- Lovecraft Country
- Bridgerton
- The Boys
BEST TELEVISION SERIES — MUSICAL or COMEDY
- Schitt’s Creek
- Ted Lasso
- Ramy
- The Great
- The Flight Attendant
BEST TELEVISION LIMITED SERIES or MOVIE
- The Queen’s Gambit
- Unorthodox
- The Undoing
- Normal People
- Small Axe
LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
- Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason
- Josh O’Connor, The Crown
- Rege-Jean Page, Bridgerton
- Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Country
- Al Pacino, Hunters
LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
- Olivia Colman, The Crown
- Laura Linney, Ozark
- Jurnee Smollett, Lovecraft Country
- Emma Corrin, The Crown
- Phoebe Dynevor, Bridgerton
LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION COMEDY
- Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
- Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
- Ramy Youssef, Ramy
- Nicholas Hoult, The Great
- Dave Burd, Dave
LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION COMEDY
- Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
- Elle Fanning, The Great
- Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
- Issa Rae, Insecure
- Jane Levy, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM
- Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
- Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird
- Hugh Grant, The Undoing
- Paul Mescal, Normal People
- Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR TELEVISION FILM
- Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit
- Shira Haas, Unorthodox
- Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
- Nicole Kidman, The Undoing
- Daisy Edgar-Jones, Normal People
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM
- Dan Levy, Schitt’s Creek
- Mahershala Ali, Ramy
- John Boyega, Small Axe
- Tobias Menzies, The Crown
- Jim Parsons, Hollywood
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, MINISERIES, OR TELEVISION FILM
- Gillian Anderson, The Crown
- Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America
- Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
- Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown
- Letitia Wright, Small Axe
Who do you think will be nominated? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.