The 82nd Golden Globe Awards, which took place at the historic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday, January 5, was filled with memorable moments.
It showcased a mix of expected wins and surprising snubs that left viewers and critics alike in disbelief.
While the ceremony celebrated outstanding performances, many were shocked to see acclaimed films like Anora and All We Imagine As Light walk away empty-handed despite their strong nominations.
As we reflect on the night, here are the biggest snubs that have everyone talking at the Golden Globes 2025.
10. Jonathan Bailey for Wicked
The 2025 Golden Globes notably snubbed Jonathan Bailey for his scene-stealing performance as the swoon-worthy Prince Fiyero in Wicked.
While his co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande received acting nominations, Bailey was overlooked in the supporting actor category. Instead, nominees like Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice and Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain took the spotlight.
It’s worth mentioning that Bailey did not attend the event, despite Wicked receiving four Golden Globe nominations and winning for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
As Wicked was nominated in one of the evening's biggest categories—Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy—Bailey's absence from the nominations was particularly striking.
His lack of recognition has left many fans baffled, especially given his standout performance in a film that garnered significant acclaim.
9. Stanley Tucci for Conclave
Stanley Tucci's absence from the Golden Globe 2025 nominations was surprising, given his prominent role and standout performance in Conclave.
Despite the film receiving six nominations, including Best Drama Actor for his co-star Ralph Fiennes, Tucci was overlooked, which many considered a significant snub.
His portrayal of an outspokenly liberal cardinal was widely praised, yet he failed to secure a nomination, leaving fans and critics baffled.
This omission has been highlighted as one of the most notable snubs of the awards season, particularly given Tucci's established reputation and talent in the industry.
8. Danielle Deadwyler for The Piano Lesson
The most talked-about snub at the Golden Globes 2025 was Danielle Deadwyler's lack of a nomination despite her critically acclaimed performance as Berniece in The Piano Lesson, an adaptation of August Wilson's play.
Industry observers and critics had anticipated that Deadwyler would secure a spot in the Best Supporting Actress category, especially given her previous nominations at prestigious awards like the Independent Spirit Awards and the Boston Society of Film Critics.
However, she was completely overlooked this year, continuing a troubling trend from past awards seasons in which her talent was not recognized.
This absence raises questions about the voting process and highlights the competitive nature of the category, which often favors more prominent names over deserving performances.
7. Ebon Moss-Bachrach for The Bear
Ebon Moss-Bachrach was a strong contender for Best Supporting Actor on Television for his role as Richie in The Bear, especially after winning back-to-back Emmys.
However, he ultimately lost to Tadanobu Asano from Shōgun, who took home his first Golden Globe Award, much to the surprise of many.
Moss-Bachrach was considered a favorite to win, particularly after coming up short last year, making this loss a significant snub for the American actor following a series of successful performances in recent award seasons.
His loss left fans and critics alike questioning the decision, particularly given the acclaim surrounding his role.
6. Lady Gaga for Joker: Folie à Deux
Lady Gaga did not receive a nomination for the 2025 Golden Globes, despite widespread expectations that she would garner significant awards attention for her highly anticipated role as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux.
Many awards pundits had predicted that she could be a strong contender; however, the sequel's poor reception and negative reviews, coupled with its underperformance at the box office, severely impacted its awards prospects.
Critics acknowledged that while Gaga's performance was commendable, and she even released a related album, the overall negative sentiment surrounding the film overshadowed her individual accomplishments.
This situation marks a disappointing snub for the pop icon, who had been expected to shine in this role.
5. Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine
Due to their impressive box office performances, Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine were both nominated for the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement awards. However, the title unexpectedly went to Wicked.
While Wicked also enjoyed significant success, grossing $639 million worldwide, it is noteworthy that both Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed the $1 billion mark at the box office.
Despite being the sixth highest-grossing movie of 2024, Wicked's win suggests that the new award, established in 2023, does not automatically go to the year's highest-grossing film.
The reasons behind Wicked taking home this honor remain somewhat unclear, especially considering the standout performances of Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine.
4. Mikey Madison for Anora
There were high expectations for Mikey Madison to win her first Golden Globe award for her breakout performance in Sean Baker’s Anora. However, surprisingly, the honor was given to Demi Moore.
There’s no denying that Moore also delivered an outstanding performance in The Substance, earning her first Golden Globe Award for Best Actress after previous nominations for Ghost in 1990 and If These Walls Could Talk in 1996.
Since its release in theaters in October 2024, Madison's performance in Anora had placed her at the top of many awards-season charts, receiving critical acclaim.
Despite both actresses being deserving of the award, some observers did not foresee Moore winning. This outcome highlights the competitive nature of the awards and the unpredictability of voters' preferences.
3. All We Imagine as Light
Although All We Imagine as Light achieved a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it lost to Emilia Perez at the 2025 Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language.
The French film had gained significant momentum leading up to the awards night, particularly after winning the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.
Despite its acclaim, Emilia Perez received a critics' score of only 76% on Rotten Tomatoes, which pales in comparison to All We Imagine as Light’s flawless rating.
While both films were deserving contenders, the unexpected victory of Emilia Perez demonstrates the unpredictable nature of awards season.
2. Denzel Washington for Gladiator II
The first major surprise at the 2025 Golden Globes was Kieran Culkin's win over Denzel Washington for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.
While Culkin delivered a remarkable performance in A Real Pain, Washington was considered a favorite to win after his acclaimed role in Gladiator II, which was released in November 2024.
This outcome was unexpected, given Washington's esteemed stature in the industry and the significant buzz surrounding his performance.
1. Angelina Jolie for Maria
The biggest surprise of the 2025 Golden Globes was Fernanda Torres winning the Best Performance award for an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama award over Angelina Jolie.
Jolie's portrayal of Maria Callas in Netflix's Maria was highly anticipated, and many expected her to be a frontrunner for Best Actress.
Given that Jolie actually sang in her transformative role as the iconic opera singer, she was considered one of the favorites heading into the ceremony, making this snub particularly surprising.
Torres's win highlights the unpredictability of awards season, especially when established stars like Jolie are involved.
These snubs highlight the unpredictable nature of awards season, where even established stars can find themselves overlooked amidst fierce competition. The Golden Globes 2025 certainly sparked discussions about deserving performances that did not receive their due recognition.