The 2025 Golden Globe nominations have arrived, bringing with them a mix of highly anticipated films and some that are yet to reach a wider audience. While some movies have already had their theatrical runs and are now available on streaming services, others are still waiting for their turn. This article delves into the world of the 2025 Golden Globe nominees and explores the various paths they have taken to get to this point.

Uncover the Journey of 2025 Golden Globe Nominees

Theatrical Runs and Streaming Releases

The 2025 Golden Globe nominations have brought a diverse range of films to the forefront. Dune: Part Two and Challengers, with their two and four Globe nominations respectively, had theatrical runs in the first half of 2024 but faced delays due to the writer and actor strikes. The Substance, a horror comedy that received five nominations, had a successful theatrical release in September for Halloween and is now streaming on Mubi. Typically, movies aiming for awards buzz are released starting in October to stay fresh in voters' minds. To be nominated for 2025 awards shows, movies need to be released between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Some will have a brief theatrical run to qualify and then be released more broadly in January or February.For instance, Anora, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May and is nominated for five Golden Globes, wasn't in theaters until October and is still showing. A Real Pain, with four Globe nominations and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, is also still in theaters. Conclave, with six nods and still in theaters, premiered in August at the Telluride Film Festival and can be streamed on Peacock starting on December 13.

Film Festival Screenings and Release Dates

Some movies have been shown to critics and cinephiles at film festivals but are yet to make it to theaters. The Brutalist clinched the Silver Lion for Best Direction at the Venice Film Festival in September and got seven Globe nominations but won't be in theaters until December 20. Some movies wait for special release dates. Wicked and Gladiator II shared the coveted weekend-before-Thanksgiving slot and became more powerful when Moana 2 came out the following week. A Complete Unknown is earning rave reviews but won't be in theaters until Christmas, sharing the date with the nominated Babygirl and the snubbed Nosferatu. This marketing tactic aims to drive people to the theater and make moviegoing a special event.Occasionally, movies are screened first in New York City or Los Angeles before expanding to select theaters and more theaters in following weekends. Nickel Boys and September 5, each with one nomination, are following this path. Distributors use this to gauge interest in specialty films and generate buzz.

Availability and Awards Buzz

While many of the best films of the year are just out of reach for the general public, awards buzz can change that. Sing Sing, with one Golden Globe nomination, had a brief theatrical run in July but is not available on premium video on demand (PVOD) or streaming. After generating buzz at the Gotham Awards on December 2, indie studio A24 announced that the film would return to theaters in January.For completionists, awards season can be nerve-wracking, but nominations can be seen as a curated list of great movies to see. Use them as a to-do list for colder months or a springboard for discovering documentaries and foreign films.Want to know which films are on Yahoo Entertainment's radar? Check out our guide to the must-see movies this awards season.