Golden Globes 2024 recap: Biggest moments from the 81st annual awards show

Christopher Nolan won the Golden Globe for best director for "Oppenheimer."

"The only time I've ever been on the stage before was accepting one of these on behalf of our dear friend, Heath Ledger, and that was complicated and challenging for me," the filmmaker said, referencing Ledger's posthumous Golden Globes win in 2008 for his role as the Joker in Nolan's "The Dark Knight."

Nolan noted that he received "a look of love and support" from Robert Downey Jr. during that moment as well as during his speech Sunday night.

"I thought it'd be simpler accepting for myself, but as a director … I stand here and realize I can only accept this on behalf of people," he continued. "As directors, we bring people together and we try to get them to give their best."

He shouted out the "Oppenheimer" cast as well as his wife and producing partner Emma Thomas, calling her "my partner in life and in art."

This is Nolan's sixth nomination and first win.

Other nominees in the category included Bradley Cooper for "Maestro," Greta Gerwig for "Barbie," Yorgos Lanthimos for "Poor Things," Martin Scorsese for "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Celine Song for "Past Lives."

"The Boy and the Heron" won the Golden Globe for best motion picture (animated).

Other nominees in the category included "Elemental," "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Suzume" and "Wish."

Kieran Culkin won the Golden Globe for best performance by a male actor in a television series (drama) for "Succession."

"I was nominated for a Golden Globe like 20 years ago, and when that moment passed, I sort of remember thinking, 'I’m never going to be back in this room again,' which was fine, whatever,” he said during his acceptance speech. “But thanks to 'Succession,' I've been in here a couple times. It's nice, but I sort of accepted I would never be on the stage, so this is a nice moment."

"Suck it, Pedro,” he joked to fellow nominee, Pedro Pascal, who was nominated for "The Last of Us."

Other nominees in the category included Brian Cox for "Succession," Gary Oldman for "Slow Horses," Jeremy Strong for "Succession" and Dominic West for "The Crown."

Ayo Edebiri won the Golden Globe for best performance by a female actor in a television series (musical or comedy) for "The Bear."

"I'm so very grateful for this. I'm in a room full of so many people who I admire and whose work has lifted me up," Edebiri said. "I'm very lucky to be an artist, and I know we all feel that way, and so I really want to acknowledge that."

Edebiri also called everyone she works with on "The Bear" her family, adding, "It's an honor to work with you and grow alongside you."

Other nominees in the category included Rachel Brosnahan for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," Quinta Brunson for "Abbott Elementary," Elle Fanning for "The Great," Selena Gomez for "Only Murders in the Building" and Natasha Lyonne for "Poker Face."