The Globes has a reputation for delighting in its eccentric picks so its record in predicting Oscars glory has been patchy over the years, but it is a huge draw for the stars and remains for many a solid bellwether for Academy Awards success.
"The Globes is known as one of the most fun parties of the year. There are only about 1,200 seats, and they're hard to get. So that 'insider' status is tantalizing," Tim Gray, awards editor for trade magazine Variety, told AFP.
"And Hollywood knows that the Globes reach a big audience, so it's important to get their films out there, to increase public awareness."
Leading the pack of films vying for top honors is Damien Chazelle's "La La Land," a tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals set in modern-day Los Angeles.
It picked up seven nominations, and pundits see it as the overwhelming favorite for best comedy/musical film, ahead of "20th Century Women," "Deadpool," "Florence Foster Jenkins" and "Sing Street."
"La La Land" is also in a strong position to pick up awards for its stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, best director for Chazelle and best score and song, according to a poll of experts by awards website Gold Derby.
