The "Wild Robot" has made a significant mark in Golden Globes history. This DreamWorks Animation and Universal release, which hit theaters on Sept. 27, has won universal acclaim for its sensitive characters, painterly design, and humanistic themes. It's another high point in the career of Colorado-born director Chris Sanders, known for a string of animated hits such as "Lilo and Stitch", "The Croods", and "How to Train Your Dragon".

Golden Globes Nominations and Impact

The "Wild Robot" was nominated for Best Motion Picture — Animated; Best Original Score; Best Original Song; and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement. Only two other animated films have received as many Golden Globes nominations - "Beauty and the Beast" with four and "Aladdin" with 6. But those were before the category was added in 2007. Director Chris Sanders expressed his gratitude in a statement to The Denver Post, saying, "I wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the members of the Golden Globes for their recognition of this story. Your four nominations for our film mean so very much to everyone who lent their talents and time."

All-Star Cast and Their Performances

Adapted from Peter Brown's 2016 book, the film features an all-star cast of Oscar winners and nominees. Lupita Nyong'o voices the titular robot, accompanied by Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, and Ving Rhames. Sanders shared in September that when he got into the book and the story, he realized these were fresh characters he could attach himself to. He got inside them immediately and understood their relationships were more subtle and intricate, feeling more real than in a fairytale.

Box Office Success and Awards Test

Audiences seemed to agree with the film's quality. It won its opening weekend and earned a remarkable $322 million worldwide. As its first huge awards test, the Golden Globes telecast is scheduled to air on Jan. 5, 2025, on CBS and the Paramount+ streaming platform. Sanders is also gearing up for the live-action debut of his "Lilo and Stitch" characters. The Disney hand-drawn favorite, first released in 2002 and based on the mischievous Stitch character Sanders created in 1985, is set to drop in May 2025, with Sanders voicing Stitch once again.

Tough Competition at the Golden Globes

Despite its record number of nominations, "The Wild Robot" is up against tough competition at the Golden Globes. Critical darlings like "Flow", "Memoir of a Snail", and "Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl" are joined by Disney mega-blockbuster/sequel "Inside Out 2" and the just-released "Moana 2".