The Golden Globe nominations have once again kicked off awards season with their signature blend of predictable frontrunners and shocking omissions. The annual announcement from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is meant to celebrate the best in film and television, but often, the most heated conversations are about who was left off the list. The 2025 nominations were no exception, delivering a series of head-scratching snubs that left fans and critics alike bewildered. From blockbuster musicals that seemed destined for glory to critically acclaimed period dramas and international sensations, several major contenders were unexpectedly sidelined. This year’s list of oversights feels particularly noteworthy, highlighting potential blind spots and raising questions about which narratives truly capture the attention of voters.

The 'Wicked' Disappointment: A Musical Powerhouse Overlooked

Perhaps the most glaring omission from the 2025 Golden Globe nominations was the near-total shutout of Wicked: For Good. The highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway mega-hit arrived with colossal expectations, a star-studded cast, and a marketing campaign that dominated the cultural conversation for months. Despite its box office success and generally positive audience reception, the HFPA largely ignored it in major categories.

For a musical of this scale and pedigree, a nomination in the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category felt like a foregone conclusion. Its absence is the most significant snub of the year, leaving many to wonder what went wrong.

  • Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: This was the film's most logical and expected nomination. Musicals often thrive at the Golden Globes, and for a global phenomenon like Wicked to be excluded from this category is a major shock. It suggests voters were either unimpressed with the adaptation or favored smaller, more niche films.
  • Lead Actress Snubs: Both Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (as Glinda) delivered powerhouse vocal performances that carried the emotional weight of the film. Their dynamic was central to the movie's appeal, and the lack of recognition for either in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category is puzzling. Their exclusion feels like a direct dismissal of the immense talent required to bring these iconic roles to the screen.
  • Original Song Overlook: The film featured new music alongside the classic score, yet it failed to secure a nomination for Best Original Song. This category is often a place to honor a film's standout musical moment, and the lack of a nod here completes a near-total disregard for the movie's artistic and commercial achievements.

The International Blockbuster Ignored: The Case of 'Ne Zha II'

The Golden Globes have made efforts in recent years to recognize international filmmaking, particularly with the success of films like Parasite. However, the 2025 nominations revealed a significant blind spot with the complete snub of the Chinese animated epic, Ne Zha II. As the sequel to one of the highest-grossing non-English language films of all time, the film was both a box office juggernaut and a critical darling in its home country.

Its stunning animation, epic storytelling rooted in Chinese mythology, and massive commercial success seemed to position it perfectly for recognition. Yet, it was shut out of categories where it appeared to be a strong contender.

Failure to Recognize Global Box Office and Animation

The HFPA introduced the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award to honor blockbuster films that make a significant cultural and commercial impact. Ne Zha II was a prime candidate.

  • Cinematic and Box Office Achievement: The film shattered box office records across Asia. Its exclusion from this category, which was created specifically to recognize global hits, undermines the award's purpose. It raises questions about whether the HFPA is truly looking beyond Hollywood for its definition of a "blockbuster."
  • Best Animated Feature: This is perhaps the most egregious snub. The animation in Ne Zha II is breathtaking, blending traditional Chinese art styles with cutting-edge CGI to create a visually spectacular experience. For it to be left out of the Best Animated Feature race in favor of more conventional, Western-produced films suggests a narrow view of what constitutes award-worthy animation. The category feels incomplete without its inclusion.

HBO's Gilded Cage: 'The Gilded Age' Gets Locked Out

In the world of television, few shows boast the pedigree of HBO's The Gilded Age. Created by Julian Fellowes, the mind behind Downton Abbey, the series is a lavish, sprawling period drama with an impeccable cast and breathtaking production design. Its second season was widely praised by critics for deepening its characters and sharpening its social commentary. Despite this, the series was completely shut out of the 2025 nominations.

For a network that typically dominates the Globes, and for a genre that voters have historically loved, this total snub is baffling. The show delivers on every element that usually attracts awards attention: drama, romance, historical intrigue, and magnificent costumes.

Shut Out Across the Board

Not a single aspect of the show was recognized, from its performances to its writing and direction.

  • Best Television Series - Drama: In a crowded field, The Gilded Age stood out for its unique focus on a fascinating period of American history. Its exclusion suggests that voters may be growing tired of historical dramas, or that it was simply overshadowed by more modern, high-concept shows.
  • Performance Snubs: The ensemble cast is a treasure trove of talent. Carrie Coon's portrayal of Bertha Russell is a masterclass in ambition and vulnerability, while Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon provide formidable, witty counterpoints as the old-money establishment. The lack of a nomination for Coon, in particular, feels like a major oversight, as her performance is the driving force of the series.
  • Supporting Actor Oversights: The deep bench of supporting actors, including Morgan Spector and Denée Benton, also went unrecognized. These performances add layers of complexity to the show's exploration of class, race, and ambition, but they were ultimately ignored.