Hans Zimmer Calls Out Golden Globes for Snubbing Best Score Award
Hans Zimmer voiced his frustration after the Golden Globes announced the Best Original Score winner during a commercial break, criticizing the move as disrespectful to composers. The Oscar-winning musician shared his disappointment over the decision to exclude the category from the main broadcast.
Sunday night’s Golden Globes were filled with glitz and excitement, but not everyone left the ceremony satisfied. Legendary composer Hans Zimmer, known for his work on films like Inception, Gladiator, and the Dune series, attended the event as a nominee for his score in F1: The Movie. However, the award for Best Original Score was not presented during the televised ceremony. Instead, it was handed out off-air, during a commercial break—a move Zimmer didn’t hesitate to criticize.
Zimmer, who has won multiple Oscars and Golden Globes throughout his career, was candid about his disappointment. He described the decision to sideline the category as “ignorant,” expressing frustration that the contributions of composers were overlooked in favor of other categories. The composer pointed out that, while he didn’t win this year, the lack of recognition during the main event was a blow to all nominees.
Zimmer’s Reaction to the Golden Globes’ Decision
Before the ceremony began, Zimmer addressed the issue on the red carpet. He didn’t hold back, saying,
“It feels a little bit ignorant. We are the psychological underbelly of the whole thing. This is a room filled with filmmakers who understand the mechanics and understand when I come home after working on a film, my children don’t know who I am because I haven’t been home for months…The composer has such an important role in making films by the time we come to the music, the director has been through war. Our first job is to remind him why he did this film in the first place.”
Zimmer’s comments highlighted the essential role music plays in filmmaking. He emphasized the sacrifices composers make and the emotional impact their work has on both directors and audiences. Despite the lighthearted jokes made by host Nikki Glaser during her opening monologue, Zimmer made it clear he was not amused by the way the ceremony handled the category.
Industry Response and the Value of Film Scores
This year, Ludwig Göransson took home the Golden Globe for his score in the horror film Sinners. Göransson, already an Oscar winner for Black Panther and Oppenheimer, was among the nominees who knew ahead of time that their category would not be featured on the main broadcast. The decision to cut the award from the televised event on CBS and Paramount+ left many in the industry questioning the priorities of the Golden Globes.
When asked what he would say to those responsible for the decision, Zimmer replied,
“I wouldn’t talk to them – I think our potential friendship has been canceled.”
His words underscored the frustration felt by many composers who see their work as fundamental to the movie experience, yet often find themselves pushed to the sidelines during major awards shows.
Zimmer’s Legacy and Past Achievements
Throughout his illustrious career, Zimmer has earned two Golden Globes—first in 1995 for The Lion King and again in 2001 for Gladiator. He’s also a two-time Academy Award winner, with Oscars for The Lion King and Dune. Despite his impressive track record, Zimmer’s recent experience at the Golden Globes serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for recognition faced by those who create the music that shapes our favorite films.