Overview of the 75th Golden Globes (2018)
The 75th Golden Globe Awards, honoring achievements in film and television of 2017, were presented on January 7, 2018. The ceremony, organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), traditionally kicks the international awards season into high gear. This evergreen explainer outlines the official winners, notable nominations, and key context so readers can reliably reference outcomes and patterns from this milestone ceremony.
Notable films and performances that year
Leading into the Globes, several films and performances dominated critical conversations. The Shape of Water emerged as a major film favorite, while Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Dunkirk also received strong attention. In television, The Crown and Big Little Lies were prominent series, with performances from actors such as Frances McDormand and Meryl Streep frequently highlighted. Understanding these contenders provides context for the eventual winners.
Winners and nominees by major categories
Below are the primary Golden Globe winners across film and television categories. Outcomes in these headline categories illustrate the blend of critical acclaim and voter preferences that define each year’s ceremony.
Film categories
| Category | Winner | Other notable nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Motion Picture – Drama | The Shape of Water | Dunkirk, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri |
| Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Lady Bird | Get Out, I, Tonya |
| Best Director | Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) | Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) |
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama | Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour) | Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name), Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread) |
| Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) | Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Meryl Streep (The Post) |
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | James Franco (The Disaster Artist) | Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool), Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread) |
| Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Emma Stone (La La Land) | Annette Bening (20th Century Women), Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) | Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project), Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Allison Janney (I, Tonya) | Holly Hunter (The Big Sick), Octavia Spencer (The Shape of Water) |
| Best Screenplay | Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) | Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) |
Television categories
| Category | Winner | Other notable nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Television Series – Drama | The Crown | Game of Thrones, This Is Us |
| Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy | Big Little Lies | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Silicon Valley |
| Best Actor – Television Series Drama | John Lithgow (The Crown) | Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) |
| Best Actress – Television Series Drama | Claire Foy (The Crown) | Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld), Keri Russell (The Americans) |
| Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) | Jeff Garlin (Billions), Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) |
| Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy | Pamela Adlon (Better Things) | Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) |
| Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film | Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies) | Billy Crudup (The OA), Stanley Tucci (The Looming Tower) |
| Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries, or Television Film | Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) | Laura Dern (Big Little Lies), Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) |
Special awards and broader context
Beyond category winners, the 75th Golden Globes included several special honors. Carlyle Emanuel received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement, and Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Lorenzo Soria outlined the role of cross-border journalism in celebrating global cinema. The ceremony emphasized international recognition, with multiple non-U.S. films and creators acknowledged. These awards often set the tone for subsequent critics’ awards and season-long momentum.
Impact on later awards and legacy
The 75th Golden Globes often serve as an early indicator of momentum in the broader awards season. Several films that performed strongly here, such as The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, went on to secure significant recognition at the Academy Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, and Producers Guild of America Awards. Conversely, some surprises at the Globes underscore how the HFPA’s preferences can diverge from other voting bodies, making this ceremony a distinctive data point in annual award analysis.
Key takeaways and evergreen reference points
- The 75th Golden Globes highlighted international craft, with strong wins for foreign-language and non-traditional productions.
- Genre versatility was rewarded across film categories, blending drama, musical comedy, and biographical storytelling.
- Television saw continued recognition of prestige dramas and tightly written limited series.
- Special awards reinforced the Globes’ focus on career achievement and global industry influence.
Quick facts: 75th Golden Globes at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date | January 7, 2018 | HFPA official records |
| Ceremony location | Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, California | HFPA media materials |
| Host(s) | Seth Meyers (monologue); no official ceremony hosts | HFPA and network announcements |
| Major film winners | The Shape of Water (4), Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (3) | HFPA winners list |
| Major TV winners | The Crown, Big Little Lies (4 each) | HFPA winners list |
| Special award | Carlyle Emanuel — Cecil B. DeMille Award | HFPA press release |