Betting on the 2018 Golden Globes

The end of the year is just over a week away, bringing with it anticipation, expectation, and — dare we say it — excitement about what may be waiting for us on the other side. Sitting right smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season it can be hard at times to find the emotional and physical energy necessary to focus on anything other than all those family dinners and Christmas parties we’ve got on our plates. However, despite the delicate balancing act that is December, we would be completely remiss not to mention how fantastic the past month has been for the cinematic world — and how exciting our swift move into award season is as a result.

Over the past several weeks, a number of buzz-worthy films have been released to critical acclaim (Lady Bird; Call Me By Your Name; 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri). The recent releases have been so strong that just four out of the ten “Best Picture” Golden Globes nominees (in both Drama and Comedy/Musical categories) were in theatres over a month ago. Three have been in wide-release since mid-November only, and three more (I, Tonya; The Post; and The Greatest Showman) are still waiting.

Admittedly, it was a mixed bag of reactions when the nominations were first released. There was a sense of anticlimax (how am I supposed to root for a film I have never seen?) as well as a strong sense of curiosity.

Thankfully there are a couple weeks left before the Golden Globes are handed out on January 8th, meaning there should be enough time to get caught up. It also means that there is plenty of time left to lay some money down on who will be taking home the first statuettes of award season.

The coming months promise to be busy ones for entertainment sportsbooks (such as BetVictor and PaddyPower). As we look forward to each award show coming down the pike, you can expect to find lines opening on most of the major categories. The great thing about wagering on awards such as the Golden Globes is that even, if you haven’t seen the films yourself, there is a ton of information out there to help guide your betting decisions.

Take a look at our take on some of the odds being offered at the Golden Globes and let us know if you agree.

Best Picture: Drama

Christopher Nolan’s historical drama, Dunkirk, is currently favored by British sportsbook BetVictor as the likely winner for Best Picture: Drama. However, head over to the entertainment-sportsbook-giant that is PaddyPower, and you’ll find the odds more than a little varied. They have Steven Spielberg’s latest film, The Post, at 15/8, followed by The Shape of Water at 3/1, then a tie between Dunkirk and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri at 7/2.

Dunkirk certainly deserves all the accolades it has received since its July release — there is no doubt about that. The film was beautifully directed, brilliantly shot, and received incredible responses from both critics and viewers alike. While we have less to go off of with The Post, as it has not been released to audiences yet, initial responses are hugely positive; Rotten Tomatoes gives the Hanks/Streep-driven film 85%, and if history repeats itself in any way with the players involved, we can expect big things from this flick during awards season.

But the question isn’t, “Did people like the movie?” Rather, the question is: “Where should I put my money?” On one hand, you have a unique retelling of a well-worn war story; on the other, a timely drama about government cover-ups and media exposés. All things considered (timing, subject matter, current state of affairs in regards to media and censorship), we are inclined to say that a bet on The Post is a well-placed one.

Best TV Series: Drama

If you’re finding yourself wondering whether the 5/6 odds BetVictor has given The Handmaid’s Tale sound a little short, we urge you to reconsider. The on-screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel, set in a dystopian future with a few too many modern-day parallels, has been lauded by critics and viewers alike as one of, if not the, best shows of 2017. While the other nominees are worthy contenders, with stunning performances and a poignant timeliness to it, The Handmaid’s Tale is the stand-out series in this category.

Best Picture: Comedy/Musical

It is a true shame that there isn’t a third category for Best Picture, perhaps something along the lines of Suspense/Thriller or  even Psychological-and-Sociological-Commentary. If this were the case, Jordan Peele’s self-categorized “social thriller” Get Out would have a better chance at receiving the honor it deserves. While there is a chance that the film could still “Moonlight” it (i.e. beat out the obvious favorite, à la La La Land), it is more likely that the team at PaddyPower are right, and Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut Lady Bird will take home the statuette. The coming-of-age story is currently the best-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes (undoubtedly thanks to a phenomenal performance by Saoirse Ronan — more on that below!) and if you’re looking for a smart bet to make, this is the one.

Best Actress: Comedy/Musical

Now back to Saoirse Ronan. With 4/11 odds at BetVictor (and pretty similar 4/9 odds at PaddyPower), we almost hate to admit that her victory has something of a shoe-in feel to it; almost — but not quite. Her portrayal of the teenaged Lady Bird was layered, driven, and convincing; watching her felt like balancing on the edge of adulthood once again, in the warmest and most nostalgic of ways. I want to give Margot Robbie shorter odds here, I really do. She is out to prove herself as a force of character acting, and to be fair, she is succeeding. But, with only the trailer to go off of for I, Tonya and a full performance for Lady Bird, we think BetVictor and PaddyPower are on the right track.

Now, obviously there quite a few categories we have not mentioned. If you were hoping to place a bet on anything not listed above, we’ve got a more comprehensive list of odds and predictions over here for you to check out.