The awards season has officially kicked off in dazzling style with the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, hosted on January 5 at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The star-studded night honored the brightest talents in film and television, with moments that were equal parts heartfelt, historic, and downright hilarious.

Big Winners: Shōgun and Hacks Dominate Television

On the television front, the period drama Shōgun and the comedy series Hacks claimed top honors. Shōgun, which explores the cultural collisions of 17th-century Japan, won Best Television Series – Drama, with Anna Sawai earning accolades for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series. Tadanobu Asano also shone brightly, taking home the award for Best Supporting Actor. The triumphs of Shōgun underscored the series’ ability to merge historical gravitas with emotional storytelling.

Meanwhile, Hacks kept the audience laughing, winning Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Paul W. Downs, the show’s co-creator, accepted the award with humor and gratitude, even teasing about an early production call time for the next day.

Film Highlights: Bold and Diverse Stories Steal the Spotlight

The cinematic world saw its fair share of triumphs as well. Emilia Pérez, a groundbreaking musical, won Best Picture – Musical or Comedy, defeating heavyweight contender Wicked. Karla Sofía Gascón delivered a deeply moving acceptance speech, highlighting themes of identity and resilience.

On the drama side, The Brutalist, a sweeping 3.5-hour period film, took home Best Picture – Drama. Director Brady Corbet shared the trials of bringing his vision to life, emphasizing the importance of supporting filmmakers against all odds.

Adrien Brody, who starred in The Brutalist, earned Best Actor in a Drama for his riveting performance, delivering an emotional speech that reflected on his career and personal growth.

Standout Performances: A Night of Firsts and Lasting Impact

Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, starring in I’m Still Here, achieved a personal milestone by winning Best Actress – Drama, 25 years after her mother’s nomination. Her heartfelt tribute to her mother and peers in the industry added a touch of nostalgia and inspiration to the evening.

Sebastian Stan’s transformation in A Different Man earned him Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. In his speech, he expressed love for his partner Annabelle Wallis and gratitude for his family’s sacrifices.

Demi Moore’s win for The Substance marked her first Golden Globe victory. Her heartfelt speech revisited career highs and lows, celebrating resilience and the joy of rediscovering one’s passion.

Unforgettable Moments: Humor, Heart, and Historic Wins

The night’s lighter moments were equally unforgettable. From Melissa McCarthy’s tongue-in-cheek commentary about “bear-related cocaine addiction” to Nikki Glaser’s musical pitch to be “Pope-ular,” the evening didn’t lack for laughs.

Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson’s public acknowledgment of their reconciled feud drew warm smiles, while Elton John’s witty remarks about his eyesight charmed the audience.

The Latvian animated film Flow made history as the first nominee from the country to win Best Motion Picture – Animated. Meanwhile, Baby Reindeer dominated the limited series category, with Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning earning accolades for their raw, powerful storytelling.

Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses

The Golden Globes are as much about what happens off-stage as on. Celebrities mingled during commercial breaks, sharing hugs and laughs.

Selena Gomez serenaded her fiancé Benny Blanco with “Good for You,” and Zendaya embraced Dune co-star Timothée Chalamet and his girlfriend Kylie Jenner.

Meanwhile, Harrison Ford and Glenn Close had a nostalgic reunion, and Anthony Mackie shared a heartfelt moment with Sebastian Stan.