“Barbie” versus “Oppenheimer” again? Or does a flop win? Golden Globes will choose the ‘best blockbuster’ in the future

It is probably also a measure to increase viewing figures. The Golden Globes introduce two new categories. At the next awards ceremony in January 2024, nominees and winners known to a wider audience will likely compete.

Particularly interesting for film lovers is the category “Best Blockbuster” of the year, which many films will already be fighting for – with two very clear favorites, but also a chance of disappointment at the box office.

Best Blockbuster: These are the rules and these films can win, among others

All films can now compete in the Best Blockbuster of the Year category at the Golden Globes, which grossed at least $150 million in its 2023 theatrical year. But it needs to make at least $100 million at the US box office. This second requirement excludes international super hits from, for example, China and India. For films starting after November 22, 2023, it is sufficient if “reliable film industry sources predict” that these figures will be achieved.

There may be another duel in this category at the Golden Globes “Barbie” And “Oppenheimer“. Both films are probably among the great favorites in this field. Many other films could also join the race here. The controversial box office surprise ‘Sound Of Freedom’, the Tom Cruise actioner ‘Mission: Impossible 7 – Dead Reckoning Part One’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Wheel of Destiny’ also meet the requirements. Theoretically, a film that flopped at the cinema could even be given the title ‘best blockbuster’. ‘The Flash’, for example, also meets the requirements.

And a film could even be given the title of ‘best blockbuster’ if it was not shown in the cinema for one day. The Golden Globes rules allow streaming movies without theatrical box office requirements. They just need to have ‘matching’ numbers generated on their streaming service. The exact amount was not disclosed. However, you can assume that, for example, the biggest Netflix hits of the year can theoretically participate in the race here.

Another new category: Best performance by a stand-up comedian on TV

In the future, six comedians could compete for a Golden Globe in a different category. The only requirement: a stand-up special of at least 30 minutes must be released in the US by 2023. The meaning here is clear. These stand-up specials are very popular on streaming services such as Netflix. The comedians involved are big names. You can also expect attention from their nominations.

In 2023, stars like Chris Rock, John Mulaney or Amy Schumer could theoretically be nominated.

Will the Oscars follow suit?

An exciting question now is of course whether the Oscars will learn something from this. There, too, people have been thinking for years about how to combat declining viewing figures and whether too many nominations for smaller films are responsible for this. In the meantime, attempts were made to introduce some kind of audience award for popular films. On the one hand, no real Oscar was awarded for this – and because an internet vote was set up that was very easy to manipulate and some of the results were downright absurd, the whole thing was quickly swept under the rug.

The Oscars are awarded by the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This includes approximately 10,000 filmmakers from all areas. They are considered the most important film awards in the world.

Meanwhile, the Golden Globes are awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, an association of non-American journalists working in Hollywood. There are only about 100 members who, after the Oscars and the Emmys (for TV), still present the most important American film and television award in the field of film and TV.