Golden Globes’ biggest controversies: 5 moments to remember

Explore the Golden Globes’ biggest controversies, from shocking moments to unforgettable disputes that made headlines

JANUARY 3, 2025 12:49 PM ESTJAN 3, 2025, 12:49 PM EST

The Golden Globes have long been a highlight of the awards season, celebrating excellence in film and television. Nevertheless, the ceremony has faced its fair share of controversies. Unexpected wins, snubs, and questionable category placements have sparked significant debates among fans and industry insiders. Some of these controversies have even prompted calls for reform, shining a light on the voting process and criteria for decision-making. This article revisits five of the most discussed moments in Golden Globes history that continue to engage and provoke conversation.

A view of the Golden Globe Award trophy statue onstage before the 81st Golden Globe Awards nominations announcement at The Beverly Hilton on December 11, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

Let's revisit five of the most discussed moments in Golden Globes history that continue to engage and provoke conversation.

The Ricky Gervais monologue controversy (2020)—Golden Globes

During the 2020 Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais brought his signature sharp and cheeky humor to the stage. His last time hosting the show certainly made headlines. Gervais was nothing if not unapologetic, delivering a monologue packed with jabs at Hollywood's elite—he poked fun at celebrities' egos, called out the industry’s double standards, and even threw shade at some specific award winners. While some viewers loved his fearless style, others found his jokes a bit too much, sparking a pretty mixed response overall.

The comedian went all out in his grand finale as the host of the awards ceremony

The 'A Star is Born' Controversy (2019)—Golden Globes

In 2019, 'A Star is Born', featuring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, was a leading contender at the Golden Globes. However, when it lost the Best Motion Picture (Drama) award to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and Cooper did not receive a nomination for Best Director, many fans and critics were taken aback.

Speculation emerged that Cooper's exclusion was affected by personal politics and the film's alleged problems with HFPA members. The situation escalated when some considered Cooper and Gaga's victory for Best Original Song with Shallow as insufficient recognition of the film's artistic achievements.

In his first time directing, 'A Star is Born', Bradley Cooper gave an award at the Golden Globes with Lady Gaga. They got four nominations that night but only won one award.

The 'The Martian' controversy for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy (2015)—Golden Globes

'The Martian' created controversy when it won the Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy award in 2016. This category is typically reserved for light-hearted or comedic films, leading many to argue that 'The Martian' didn’t quite fit. While the film incorporates humor and promotes an uplifting message, its core theme centers on survival, presenting a narrative that felt more aligned with dramatic storytelling. The decision to award it in this category sparked significant criticism, with many advocating for its inclusion in the Best Drama category instead. This incident not only highlights concerns about genre classification at the Golden Globes but also raises broader questions about the awards' approach to creating excitement. Such dilemmas underscore the need for clearer definitions to appropriately honor films and respect their artistic intentions.

Golden Globes Change Comedy Rules After The Martian’s Controversial Win — Matt Damon won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in The Martian at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards.

The controversy surrounding 'The Hours' winning over 'The Pianist' (2003) —Golden Globes

In 2003, 'The Hours', a film focusing on Virginia Woolf, won the award for Best Motion Picture—Drama. It featured a star-studded cast including Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris, and Claire Danes. On the other hand, Roman Polanski's 'The Pianist', which powerfully portrayed the horrors of the Holocaust, picked up just the Best Director award for Polanski himself.

The choice to honor 'The Hours' instead of 'The Pianist' sparked quite a debate. A lot of critics and viewers felt that 'The Pianist' had a greater significance and impact, especially when considering Polanski's controversial past. There was a sense that awarding 'The Hours' reflected Hollywood's unease with the serious themes tackled in 'The Pianist'.

Nicole Kidman accepts the award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for 'The Hours' at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 19, 2003

The Golden Globe Nominations and the 'Globes of Silence' (2008)

The 2008 Golden Globes were affected by the writers' strike, leading to a ceremony without a red carpet, live audience, or television broadcast. Instead, the nominations were revealed at a smaller event. The absence of a broadcast drew criticism, with some people feeling it lowered the prestige of the Globes. Many questioned if the Golden Globes should take place at all if they couldn’t provide their usual show. At the 65th Golden Globe Awards, 'Atonement' was named Best Drama Motion Picture.

Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Jorge Camara announces Atonement as the winner of Best Motion Picture - Drama award, during the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards press conference held at The Beverly Hilton on January 13, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California.