Oscar season is heating up, nominations for this year’s Golden Globe Awards will be announced soon. So I thought now would be a good time to share with you my predictions for the film categories. In each category, I’ll be listing all the candidates that I think will be nominated, as well as possibilities for what/who could sneak in.
Best Motion Picture-Drama:
1917
The Irishman
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
What Could Sneak In?: Knowing how the Globes usually love to nominate films that proved to be big hits at the box office, I could see Ford v Ferrari making the cut in this category. Then again, Clint Eastwood's latest movie, Richard Jewell, has already gotten tons of critical buzz since premiering at the AFI Film Festival. He's gotten late-breaking contenders (such as Million Dollar Baby and American Sniper) into the Oscar race before, so he should never be underestimated.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama:
Antonio Banderas-Pain and Glory
Robert De Niro-The Irishman
Adam Driver-Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix-Joker
Jonathan Pryce-The Two Popes
Who Could Sneak In?: If the Hollywood Foreign Press really go for Ford v Ferrari, Christian Bale could nab his fifth Golden Globe nomination. Though he could potentially split his support with co-star Matt Damon, who's received seven nominations over the years. However, if Richard Jewell really takes off at the Globes, Paul Walter Hauser could get in for his breakout performance as the title character. Originally, Uncut Gems was submitted as a Comedy/Musical, but was then overturned as a Drama. So could Adam Sandler pull off a surprise nomination? He is a previous nominee in this category for 2002's Punch-Drunk Love.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama:
Cynthia Erivo-Harriet
Scarlett Johansson-Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan-Little Women
Charlize Theron-Bombshell
Renée Zellweger-Judy
Who Could Sneak In?: Helen Mirren did very surprisingly receive a Best Comedy/Musical Actress nomination two years ago for The Leisure Seeker. Could she do so again this year for The Good Liar? The Globes really love her given the 15 nominations she's received from them over the years. I have noticed people on the internet rooting for Lupita Nyong’o to have a successful awards season run for her performance in the blockbuster horror film, Us. While I can see the Globes going for that, there's still the whole genre bias it would have to overcome. Though the one contender I think is most likely to sneak into this category is Alfre Woodard for her much buzzed about performance in Clemency.
Best Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical:
Hustlers
Jojo Rabbit
Knives Out
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Rocketman
What Could Sneak In?: If this was early on in the year, I would've said Booksmart is a lock in this category given its critical acclaim. Yet, as more contenders have came in since then, it's going to be harder for it to receive a nomination at this point. While no one knows how the reception for this will turn out yet, could Cats find its way into this category? Even if it receives the worst reviews of the year, the Globes would probably still nominate it. After all, they have nominated movie musicals that received a lackluster critical reception before such as 2004's The Phantom of the Opera, 2005's The Producers, 2008's Mamma Mia!, 2009's Nine, 2010's Burlesque, and 2017's The Greatest Showman. I previously had Dolemite is My Name getting in, but I recently swapped it for Knives Out given its current critical and commercial success. In fact, four of my five predicted nominees have proven to be genuine crowdpleasers.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical:
Daniel Craig-Knives Out
Roman Griffin Davis-Jojo Rabbit
Leonardo DiCaprio-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taron Egerton-Rocketman
Eddie Murphy-Dolemite is My Name
Who Could Sneak In?: Shia LaBeouf has been enjoying a comeback year with his performances in The Peanut Butter Falcon and Honey Boy. With all the buzz he's gotten for his supporting role in the latter movie, I could see that helping him get into this category for the former film. Though Indian actor, Himesh Patel, did receive quite a bit of praise for his breakout role in the sleeper hit, Yesterday, this past summer. On paper, it looks like something the Globes could recognized given that the movie itself happens to be a romantic comedy centered around the music of The Beatles.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical:
Awkwafina-The Farewell
Cate Blanchett-Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
Ana de Armas-Knives Out
Emma Thompson-Late Night
Constance Wu-Hustlers
Who Could Sneak In?: I could see Kaitlyn Dever and/or Beanie Feldstein getting in for Booksmart, but if it had to only be one of them, I'm not sure who. They could either both get in or cancel each other out. Though Dever does have the visibility factor with her role on the recent Netflix miniseries, Unbelievable, to help.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:
Tom Hanks-A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins-The Two Popes
Al Pacino-The Irishman
Joe Pesci-The Irishman
Brad Pitt-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Who Could Sneak In?: I originally had Willem Dafoe getting in for The Lighthouse given all the acclaim he's gotten for his performance, but I recently swapped him out for Joe Pesci given his success at the critics awards so far. Plus, he has the narrative of coming out of retirement to re-team with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro for The Irishman. Shia LaBeouf's aforementioned comeback year has been more centered on his performance as an abusive father in Honey Boy, a semi-autobiographical film he also wrote based on his own personal experiences. Though if the Globes really go for Jojo Rabbit, writer/director Taika Waititi could just sneak into this category for his performance as an idiotic version of Adolf Hitler.
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:
Kathy Bates-Richard Jewell
Laura Dern-Marriage Story
Jennifer Lopez-Hustlers
Florence Pugh-Little Women
Margot Robbie-Bombshell
Who Could Sneak In?: Annette Bening has received eight Golden Globe nominations in the past, and has gotten a lot of acclaim for her performance as Senator Diane Feinstein in The Report. Though the buzz Scarlett Johansson has been receiving for Marriage Story could probably help her land a nomination in this category for her performance in Jojo Rabbit. However, Zhao Shuzen could potentially be a surprise nominee for her performance as a dying grandmother in The Farewell.
Best Director:
Bong Joon-Ho-Parasite
Sam Mendes-1917
Martin Scorsese-The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taika Waititi-Jojo Rabbit
Who Could Sneak In?: I actually feel pretty good about the five I'm predicting to get in given how on paper, the Globes would easily recognize the work each of those directors did this past year in a heartbeat. Though interestingly enough, the two I think have the best potential to sneak into this category happen to be a romantic couple in real life. Noah Baumbach has written and directed one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year, Marriage Story, which also happens to be very personal to him. Meanwhile, Greta Gerwig probably still has a lot of good will from Lady Bird, and she's already received tons of acclaim for her adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic story, Little Women.
Best Screenplay:
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Marriage Story
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The Two Popes
What Could Sneak In?: The aforementioned acclaim Greta Gerwig received for Little Women has been for providing such an unconventional retelling of a story that has been told on the big screen several times before. That could help her nab a screenplay nomination here. Though if the Globes really go for the South Korean contender, Parasite, it could pull off a surprise nomination in this category.
Nominations will be announced this Monday morning at 8:00 ET/5:00 PT.
1917
The Irishman
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
What Could Sneak In?: Knowing how the Globes usually love to nominate films that proved to be big hits at the box office, I could see Ford v Ferrari making the cut in this category. Then again, Clint Eastwood's latest movie, Richard Jewell, has already gotten tons of critical buzz since premiering at the AFI Film Festival. He's gotten late-breaking contenders (such as Million Dollar Baby and American Sniper) into the Oscar race before, so he should never be underestimated.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama:
Antonio Banderas-Pain and Glory
Robert De Niro-The Irishman
Adam Driver-Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix-Joker
Jonathan Pryce-The Two Popes
Who Could Sneak In?: If the Hollywood Foreign Press really go for Ford v Ferrari, Christian Bale could nab his fifth Golden Globe nomination. Though he could potentially split his support with co-star Matt Damon, who's received seven nominations over the years. However, if Richard Jewell really takes off at the Globes, Paul Walter Hauser could get in for his breakout performance as the title character. Originally, Uncut Gems was submitted as a Comedy/Musical, but was then overturned as a Drama. So could Adam Sandler pull off a surprise nomination? He is a previous nominee in this category for 2002's Punch-Drunk Love.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama:
Cynthia Erivo-Harriet
Scarlett Johansson-Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan-Little Women
Charlize Theron-Bombshell
Renée Zellweger-Judy
Who Could Sneak In?: Helen Mirren did very surprisingly receive a Best Comedy/Musical Actress nomination two years ago for The Leisure Seeker. Could she do so again this year for The Good Liar? The Globes really love her given the 15 nominations she's received from them over the years. I have noticed people on the internet rooting for Lupita Nyong’o to have a successful awards season run for her performance in the blockbuster horror film, Us. While I can see the Globes going for that, there's still the whole genre bias it would have to overcome. Though the one contender I think is most likely to sneak into this category is Alfre Woodard for her much buzzed about performance in Clemency.
Best Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical:
Hustlers
Jojo Rabbit
Knives Out
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Rocketman
What Could Sneak In?: If this was early on in the year, I would've said Booksmart is a lock in this category given its critical acclaim. Yet, as more contenders have came in since then, it's going to be harder for it to receive a nomination at this point. While no one knows how the reception for this will turn out yet, could Cats find its way into this category? Even if it receives the worst reviews of the year, the Globes would probably still nominate it. After all, they have nominated movie musicals that received a lackluster critical reception before such as 2004's The Phantom of the Opera, 2005's The Producers, 2008's Mamma Mia!, 2009's Nine, 2010's Burlesque, and 2017's The Greatest Showman. I previously had Dolemite is My Name getting in, but I recently swapped it for Knives Out given its current critical and commercial success. In fact, four of my five predicted nominees have proven to be genuine crowdpleasers.
Best Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical:
Daniel Craig-Knives Out
Roman Griffin Davis-Jojo Rabbit
Leonardo DiCaprio-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taron Egerton-Rocketman
Eddie Murphy-Dolemite is My Name
Who Could Sneak In?: Shia LaBeouf has been enjoying a comeback year with his performances in The Peanut Butter Falcon and Honey Boy. With all the buzz he's gotten for his supporting role in the latter movie, I could see that helping him get into this category for the former film. Though Indian actor, Himesh Patel, did receive quite a bit of praise for his breakout role in the sleeper hit, Yesterday, this past summer. On paper, it looks like something the Globes could recognized given that the movie itself happens to be a romantic comedy centered around the music of The Beatles.
Best Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy/Musical:
Awkwafina-The Farewell
Cate Blanchett-Where’d You Go, Bernadette?
Ana de Armas-Knives Out
Emma Thompson-Late Night
Constance Wu-Hustlers
Who Could Sneak In?: I could see Kaitlyn Dever and/or Beanie Feldstein getting in for Booksmart, but if it had to only be one of them, I'm not sure who. They could either both get in or cancel each other out. Though Dever does have the visibility factor with her role on the recent Netflix miniseries, Unbelievable, to help.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:
Tom Hanks-A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins-The Two Popes
Al Pacino-The Irishman
Joe Pesci-The Irishman
Brad Pitt-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Who Could Sneak In?: I originally had Willem Dafoe getting in for The Lighthouse given all the acclaim he's gotten for his performance, but I recently swapped him out for Joe Pesci given his success at the critics awards so far. Plus, he has the narrative of coming out of retirement to re-team with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro for The Irishman. Shia LaBeouf's aforementioned comeback year has been more centered on his performance as an abusive father in Honey Boy, a semi-autobiographical film he also wrote based on his own personal experiences. Though if the Globes really go for Jojo Rabbit, writer/director Taika Waititi could just sneak into this category for his performance as an idiotic version of Adolf Hitler.
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:
Kathy Bates-Richard Jewell
Laura Dern-Marriage Story
Jennifer Lopez-Hustlers
Florence Pugh-Little Women
Margot Robbie-Bombshell
Who Could Sneak In?: Annette Bening has received eight Golden Globe nominations in the past, and has gotten a lot of acclaim for her performance as Senator Diane Feinstein in The Report. Though the buzz Scarlett Johansson has been receiving for Marriage Story could probably help her land a nomination in this category for her performance in Jojo Rabbit. However, Zhao Shuzen could potentially be a surprise nominee for her performance as a dying grandmother in The Farewell.
Best Director:
Bong Joon-Ho-Parasite
Sam Mendes-1917
Martin Scorsese-The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino-Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Taika Waititi-Jojo Rabbit
Who Could Sneak In?: I actually feel pretty good about the five I'm predicting to get in given how on paper, the Globes would easily recognize the work each of those directors did this past year in a heartbeat. Though interestingly enough, the two I think have the best potential to sneak into this category happen to be a romantic couple in real life. Noah Baumbach has written and directed one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year, Marriage Story, which also happens to be very personal to him. Meanwhile, Greta Gerwig probably still has a lot of good will from Lady Bird, and she's already received tons of acclaim for her adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic story, Little Women.
Best Screenplay:
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Marriage Story
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
The Two Popes
What Could Sneak In?: The aforementioned acclaim Greta Gerwig received for Little Women has been for providing such an unconventional retelling of a story that has been told on the big screen several times before. That could help her nab a screenplay nomination here. Though if the Globes really go for the South Korean contender, Parasite, it could pull off a surprise nomination in this category.
Nominations will be announced this Monday morning at 8:00 ET/5:00 PT.