The 2025 awards season recently kicked off with theGolden Globeson Sunday, January 5. Hosted by Nikki Glaser, this entertaining spectacle gave viewers their first glimpse into who can be expected to thrive as the season continues. Numerous actors (including several first-time winners) managed to take home one of the prestigious awards, further solidifying them as some of the leading talents in the industry.
Of course, with this new recognition being given to these actors,many viewers are now curious about where else they can see these stars show off their skills. Fortunately, most of thewinners of the 2025 Golden Globeshave appeared in many other great projects before, so audiences have plenty of places they can go in order to appreciate their work. Although there are many other options as well, these movies highlight some of the best performances by the newest batch ofGolden Globe winnersfrom earlier in their careers.
10The Pianist (2002)
Starring Adrien Brody
At the 2025 Golden Globes, the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama went to Adrien Brody. While this may be Brody’s most recent triumph, it is certainly not the first award-worthy performance of his illustrious career.Brody first skyrocketed to stardom with his emotional performance inThe Pianist.
For his portrayal of the gifted piano player and Holocaust survivor, Władysław Szpilman, he gained massive praise, even managing to take home theAcademy Award for Best Actor. Based on Szpilman’s actual memoir,The Pianistoffers a powerful, heartbreaking look at the story of one man’s survival in the midst of one of the greatest tragedies in human history.
The Pianist
Cast
The Pianist is a historical drama directed by Roman Polanski, featuring Adrien Brody as Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist in Warsaw during World War II. The film follows Szpilman’s harrowing journey of survival amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, capturing his struggles and resilience. The Pianist showcases the impact of war on individuals and art, emphasizing themes of perseverance and human spirit.
In addition to being a devastating tale of survival,The Pianistalso conveysa strong message about the power of art, even when surrounded by darkness. Along with the recognition for Brody’s performance, the film also won the Oscars for Best Director (Roman Polanski) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ronald Harwood), in addition to receiving several other nominations.
9Ghost (1990)
Starring Demi Moore
Demi Moore may have won her first Golden Globe this year for her starring role inThe Substance, but her first nomination actually came over three decades ago. In 1990, Moore starred alongside Patrick Swayze inGhost, a Jerry Zucker-directed film that gave audiences a rather unique take on a modern love story.
The Substance Ending Explained
The ending of The Substance underscores the themes of the film and highlights the dangerous double standard that exists in Hollywood.
Moore may not have been able to take home the trophy back then, buther dazzling performance as Molly Jensen definitely turned quite a few heads and helpedGhostbecome an instant classic. In a surprising departure from most romance movies,Ghoststarts on a very dark note. The film begins with Sam Wheat (Swayze) being murdered while walking back to his new apartment with his girlfriend, Molly, one night.
Ghost
Ghost is a romantic thriller directed by Jerry Zucker, featuring Patrick Swayze as Sam Wheat, a man who has been murdered and becomes a ghost in order to protect his girlfriend Molly Jensen, played by Demi Moore. With the assistance of a reluctant psychic named Oda Mae Brown, portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg, Sam attempts to uncover the truth behind his death and bring closure to his unfinished business.
Although Sam is dead, his love for Molly lives on, and he begins doing whatever he can to protect her, finding new ways to influence the world as a ghost.Ghostwas very well-received for its impressive performances and unique premise, even eventually going on to win multiple Academy Awards.
8Avatar (2009)
Starring Zoe Saldaña
January 5 turned out to be a great night for thecast and crew ofEmilia Peréz, which took home more honors than any other film, including the award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. The first award won by the film went to Zoe Saldaña in the category of Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture.
Saldaña is certainly no stranger to successful movies, though. As one of the highest-grossing actors of all time,she has appeared in many blockbuster films, most notably the 2009 sci-fi epic,Avatar. Although her otherworldly appearance may make it difficult to recognize her, Saldaña steals the show as Neytiri inAvatar.
Avatar
Avatar is a 2009 science fiction film directed by James Cameron. Set in the 22nd century, it follows a paraplegic Marine sent to the moon Pandora on a mission. He becomes conflicted between his orders and defending the indigenous Na’vi civilization.
Written and directed by James Cameron,Avatartransports viewers to the stunning world of Pandora, where tensions have begun to rise between Pandora’s native inhabitants and the humans looking to colonize it. The film was a smash hit with audiences and critics alike, winning numerous major awards and securing its spot as the highest-grossing movie of all time. Along with its dazzling visuals and story,Saldaña’s performance helps makeAvatara must-see.
7Igby Goes Down (2002)
Starring Kieran Culkin
Last year, after having been nominated for his work in the series four times, Kieran Culkin finally won his first Golden Globe for his work in the drama series,Succession. This year, Culkin managed to take home an award for the second year in a row, winning for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for his humorous yet emotional performance inA Real Pain.
The film allows Culkin to show off his ability to portray both humor and heartfelt emotion, an early showcase of the wide-ranging skill set that has helped catapult him to stardom.
While it may not be quite as popular as his more recent roles,Culkin received his first nomination back in 2002, thanks to the comedy-drama film,Igby Goes Down. Written and directed by Burr Steers,Igby Goes Downtells the story of a rebellious teen (Culkin) who strives to distance himself from his wealthy family, feeling determined to find a lifestyle that feels better suited to who he really is.
Igby Goes Down
Igby Goes Down follows the life of a rebellious teenager named Igby Slocumb, who struggles with family dysfunction and personal turmoil. Seeking to escape the pressures of his privileged upbringing, Igby embarks on a journey through New York City’s underbelly, encountering various eccentric characters along the way. The film stars Kieran Culkin in the lead role, supported by Claire Danes, Jeff Goldblum, and Susan Sarandon.
With Susan Sarandon, Jeff Goldblum, and Claire Danes all among the supporting cast,Igby Goes Downis a hidden gem led by a stellar collection of actors.The film allows Culkin to show off his ability to portray both humor and heartfelt emotion, an early showcase of the wide-ranging skill set that has helped catapult him to stardom.
6I, Tonya (2017)
Starring Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan was nominated in more than just one category at the 2025 Golden Globes, and he did find success in one of his categories. For his performance inA Different Man, Stan won the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Of course, while this is Stan’s first Golden Globe win,he has been a prominent figure in Hollywood for several years, thanks to his appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
For a real showcase of his acting skills, though, one should check out the 2017 feature,I, Tonya.I, Tonyaoffers an eye-opening look into the life of Tonya Harding, the prestigious figure skater who infamously became embroiled in a planned assault on her rival, Nancy Kerrigan.
I, Tonya
Based on the life of figure skater Tonya Harding, I, Tonya chronicles Harding’s personal life, rise to fame, and subsequent downfall after her involvement in the infamous attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan in 1994. Framed in a mockumentary style that routinely breaks the fourth wall, I, Tonya is directed by Craig Gillespie and stars Margot Robbie and Harding, with Sebastian Stan and Allison Janney as Harding’s ex-husband and overbearing mother respectively.
Margot Robbie starsas Harding, withStan appearing alongside her as Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly. The film not only shows off Stan’s skills at portraying a real-life figure (which he also does inThe Apprentice), but it highlights his ability to handle some rather complex, multilayered source material. This Oscar-winning film is an essential part of Stan’s filmography.
5Love Me Forever Or Never (1986)
Starring Fernanda Torres
I’m Still Heremay have lost the award for Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language toEmilia Peréz, but it did triumph in the category of Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama thanks to the stunning work of Fernanda Torres. This was Torres’s first nomination and first win at the Golden Globes, buther skills have been recognized in her home country of Brazil many timesover the years.
Golden Globes 2025: 8 Biggest Snubs & Surprises
The 82nd Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 14, 2025, had several major surprises and a few clear snubs.
Among the most notable showcases of her talent is the 1986 drama,Love Me Forever or Never.Love Me Forever or Nevermay seem to have a fairly straightforward concept, but it never fails to make the most of it, offering a consistently captivating story from beginning to end.
Love Me Forever or Never
Love Me Forever or Never centers on a young couple who reconnect in a modern house to reflect on their past relationship. Through a series of conversations, they explore the complexities and emotions that defined their time together.
The film stars Torres as a woman who decides to meet with her recently separated husband one more time to discuss their relationship, their feelings, and various aspects of themselves.Torres won the honor of being named Best Actress at the 1986 Cannes Film Festivalfor her work inLove Me Forever or Never.
4The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
Starring Jodie Foster
With five Golden Globes and two Academy Awards in her repertoire,Jodie Foster is no stranger to awards shows by any means. 2025 is already off to a hot start for the acclaimed performer, with Foster securing her most recent Golden Globe for her starring performance inTrue Detective: Night Country, the fourth installment of theTrue Detectiveanthology series.
The Silence of the Lambshas a 95% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
If you enjoyed her work in that show, though, you must check outThe Silence of the Lambs, one of the most iconic films of Foster’s illustrious career. Jonathan Demme’s 1991 thriller,The Silence of the Lambs, starsFoster as an up-and-coming FBI agentwho enlists the help of a cannibalistic serial killer to help her catch a similarly dangerous murderer.
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling, portrayed by Jodie Foster, as she seeks the help of imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to solve a series of gruesome murders. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this 1991 psychological thriller delves into the dark world of criminal profiling and the complex relationship between a young investigator and a brilliant, but dangerous, psychopath.
The classic film is one of only three movies to ever win the"Big Five" Oscars, which include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress (Foster). No matter how much time has passed,The Silence of the LambsandTrue Detective: Night Countryproves that Foster thrives when tasked with playing a daring crime-solver.
3Babylon (2022)
Starring Jean Smart
This year, Jean Smart won her second Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy for her work in the HBO series,Hacks. Although she has been thriving in her new home on television in recent years, Smart has appeared in numerous feature films over the last few decades.
Oscars 2025: The Brutalist Is Starting To Look More Like A Best Picture Winner
The Brutalist had an excellent night at the Golden Globes, and Brady Corbet’s American epic is one step closer to becoming a Best Picture winner.
Among her most notable film roles in recent memory is in Damien Chazzelle’s 2022 epic,Babylon.Smart may not have been the sole star of the film, but she certainly dominated the screen every time she appeared.Babylonchronicles the interwoven stories of a handful of individuals attempting to find success during the glamorous but tumultuous age of Hollywood during the first half of the twentieth century.
Babylon
Babylon is a film by director Damien Chazelle (La La Land) that focuses on characters during the great Hollywood boom - when silent films moved to talking pictures, and the medium was reinvented. During this era of decadence and glamorous lifestyles in pure excess, Babylon explores the rise and fall of fictional Hollywood greats that mirror nonfictional actors and actresses throughout American history.
For the film, Smart steps into the role of Elinor St. John, a columnist who provides a relentlessly critical account of Jack Conrad’s (Brad Pitt) career as he continues to show signs of aging. Smart’s cleverness and poise are on full display whenever she is on-screen, makingBabylona delight for fans of her work.
2The Banshees Of Inisherin (2022)
Starring Colin Farrell
Even though it was practically impossible to recognize him in the role,Colin Farrell won a Golden Globe for his lead performance inThe Penguinat the 2025 Golden Globes, marking the third win for the Irish actor. To fully appreciate the extent of Farrell’s range, though, one should definitely check outThe Banshees of Inisherin,the 2022 film for which the gifted performer won his second Golden Globe.
When watching both projects within a short period, it is almost unfathomable that the two leading roles are played by the same person
When watching both projects within a short period, it is almost unfathomable that the two leading roles are played by the same person. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh,The Banshees of Inisherinpresents the story of the disastrous events that follow when a man decides to cut his ties to his lifelong friend.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) returns to film with The Banshees of Inisherin, a comedy/drama that stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two friends on the outs of their relationship. Set in 1920’s Ireland, Pádraic (Farrell) has a simple life that is upended when one day, his friend Colm (Gleeson) decides that Pádraic adds nothing to his life and that he’d rather spend his remaining years pursuing things to be remembered by. Pádraic cannot accept this, leading to a never-ending escalation on both ends and darkly comedic outcomes. The film examines the concept of non-romantic break-ups and the challenges of coping with losing a close friend for what seems to be no reason.
The clever film perfectly balances elements of tragedy and comedy to create a final product that is refreshing and enjoyable for the viewer. In a drastic contrast to his role inThe Penguin,Farrell stars as the meek, mild-mannered Pádraic Súilleabháin, showing off the actor’s ability to confidently tackle any role he faces.
1Life (2017)
Starring Hiroyuki Sanada
Hiroyuki Sanada delivered one of the best performances of his career in the FX historical drama series,Shogun, for which he just won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series - Drama.Shogunmay have quickly become what the talented actor is best known for, but his decades-spanning career has proven that he is able to thrive in all types of projects.
For those looking to see him use his skills in something completely different fromShogun, a prime place to start would be with the 2017 sci-fi horror movie,Life.Lifestars Sanada among a powerful ensemble of actors, including Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Rebecca Ferguson.
Life
A six-member crew is tasked with studying a sample from Mars that may be the first proof of extra-terrestrial life.
The thrilling film followsa group of astronautswho rapidly come face-to-face with the grim consequences of discovering life in outer space. Needless to say, the film is about as drastic of a departure from the setting ofShogunas possible. Nevertheless, Sanada thrives inLifeas part of an impressive ensemble.
