Golden Globes Expand to Six Nominees Per Category for 2025 Ceremony

A significant change comes to the Golden Globes this year as each main category will feature six nominees instead of the traditional five. This expansion recognizes the exceptional depth of talent and achievement across this year’s film offerings, allowing more artists to receive recognition for their work.
Awards analysts have noted that certain categories, particularly best actress, feature an unprecedented number of worthy candidates. The expansion to six nominees helps address this abundance of talent while maintaining the prestige associated with receiving a Golden Globe nomination.
This change affects strategic calculations for campaigns and studios, as the additional slot creates both more opportunities and more competition. Films that might have been considered borderline contenders now have better chances of securing nominations, potentially changing the dynamics of the entire awards season.
The best actress category has been described as a “Murderers’ Row” of exceptional performances, with veteran stars and rising talents delivering career-defining work. From Cynthia Erivo’s powerful Elphaba to Emma Stone’s work with Lanthimos, to Jessie Buckley’s Agnes in “Hamnet,” the competition represents the best of contemporary screen acting.
This expansion may also influence Oscar nomination strategies, as the Academy Awards traditionally feature five nominees per category. Golden Globes recognition can provide crucial momentum, and having six nominated films instead of five changes the mathematical calculus of awards season predictions and creates more pathways to eventual Oscar glory.