As the November 4 submission deadline for the 2024 Golden Globes approaches, filmmakers and distributors of this year’s award hopefuls are finalizing their decisions on whether their films will compete in the Drama or Musical/Comedy categories. 

While most films have obvious categorizations, others are generating more debate. For instance, Wicked with famous singer Ariana Grande and Mean Girls with Reneé Rapp are both entering the Musical/Comedy field, but darker films like Sean Baker’s Anora are also competing in that category despite their heavier, and very different subject matter. By blending elements of drama with comedy or satire, a prevalent mechanism of black-comedies, these filmmakers have possibly complicated their classification for award ceremonies. Another film that may face category issues is The Substance, starring Demi Moore, which could land in either category depending on how its mix thematic elements is interpreted.

Meanwhile, films that could have been categorized as Musical/Comedy are instead being submitted as Dramas. For example, A24’s Queer, which explores the adventures of a William S. Burroughs-inspired character, are opting for the Drama field.

Music biopics have also found themselves categorized as Dramas, despite featuring prominent musical performances. Films like Reinaldo Marcus Green’s Bob Marley: One Love and James Mangold’s Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet who also stared in Dune: Part Two are among those taking this route, continuing the trend of distinguishing between films about musicians and films that qualify as musicals.

The Drama category is packed with major contenders this year, including Gladiator II, Dune: Part Two, and Furiosa. Meanwhile, the Musical/Comedy category, with animated films like Inside Out 2, also features high-profile entries like Tim Burton’s new film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine.

With just a few weeks left before the submission deadline, all eyes are on the final decisions filmmakers will make. As November approaches, the boundaries between genres are once again being tested, making for an unpredictable awards season.