Golden Globes vs Oscars: Understanding the Distinction
Curious about the distinction between the Golden Globes and Oscars? Discover the dissimilarities in voting bodies, categories, and ceremonies between these prestigious awards
The Golden Globes were broadcast last evening, signaling the start of the 2024 awards season – but how does it differ from the Oscars?
Love it or hate it, the awards season is inevitable. Since the last year’s Academy Awards, film critics and experts have been speculating on the potential contenders for this year's ceremonies.
From January to March, prepare for the flood of social media posts detailing the triumphs and defeats of actors, filmmakers, and other celebrities at various award shows. These include the BAFTAs, Emmys, Critics Choice Awards, SGAs, and PGAs (not the golf variety). If you're not familiar with all the different awards, it can be overwhelming trying to keep track. To kick things off, let's start with a straightforward question: what sets the Golden Globes apart from the Oscars?
Golden Globes vs Oscars difference explained
Here’s a quick explanation: the Golden Globes and Oscars are completely separate ceremonies with major differences, including their voting bodies and categories.
We’ve broken it down in a bit more detail below.
Voting bodies
Around 300 entertainment journalists from around the world decide the winners of the Golden Globes, while the Oscars are voted on by The Academy, a group of over 10,500 industry artists and leaders.
This year’s Golden Globes marked the debut of a new voting body, created under Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge Productions after acquiring the awards last year. This change came after the Hollywood Foreign Press, the group previously in charge of the Golden Globes, disbanded following years of controversial issues related to sexual harassment allegations, self-dealing, and diversity.
The Academy’s membership is by invitation only, including actors, filmmakers, writers, and thousands of other creatives across its 18 branches.
Categories
The Golden Globes presents awards in 27 categories for both movies and television, while the Oscars has 24 categories dedicated to film. However, there are some key differences between the two ceremonies. The Globes divides its Best Picture, TV Series, Actor, and Actress awards between Drama and Musical/Comedy categories. For instance, in the most recent ceremony, there were two winners for Best Actor in TV: Jeremy Allen White for his role in The Bear (Musical/Comedy) and Kieran Culkin for Succession (Drama).
The Globe also added two new categories: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement in Motion Pictures and Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television.
Ceremonies
The annual Golden Globes is held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, marking the beginning of the awards season in January. The season culminates with the Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in March/April.
While the Oscars is considered the more prestigious event, the Golden Globes has a reputation for controversies and unusual nominees. Despite criticism and a disastrous 2024 hosting by Jo Koy, the ceremony still received some positive feedback.
While the former event has had its share of scandals, including Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 ceremony and the awkwardness of Anthony Hopkins' 2021 Best Actor win, the list of every winner and nominee at the 2024 Golden Globes can be found here.
Editor's P/S
As a devoted fan of the entertainment industry, I find the distinction between the Golden Globes and Oscars fascinating. The Golden Globes, with its smaller voting body of entertainment journalists, offers a unique perspective on the year's best in film and television. The addition of new categories, such as Cinematic and Box Office Achievement in Motion Pictures and Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television, demonstrates the Globes' willingness to adapt and recognize emerging forms of entertainment. While the Oscars hold a more prestigious reputation, the Golden Globes provide a more diverse and inclusive platform for celebrating artistic achievements.
The Golden Globes serve as an exciting precursor to the Oscars, setting the tone for the awards season and generating anticipation for the industry's biggest night. Despite controversies and occasional missteps, the Globes continue to captivate audiences with their unpredictable nature and ability to generate buzz. As a fan, I appreciate the opportunity to engage with the awards season through multiple ceremonies, each offering its own unique insights and perspectives on the world of entertainment.
