'Bohemian Rhapsody' takes upset win at Netflix-dominated Golden Globes

"Bohemian Rhapsody" took home the final two top prizes to put itself into the Oscars conversation along with "Green Book" and "Roma."

Host and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama "for Killing Eve" nominee Sandra Oh arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (January 6, 2019)
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Host and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama "for Killing Eve" nominee Sandra Oh arrives for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (January 6, 2019)

Queen musical Bohemian Rhapsody and US segregation-era comedy Green Book took home the top Golden Globes on Sunday on a night of upsets that saw presumed favourite A Star is Born largely shut out, and big wins for Netflix.

Tears and astonishment marked the winners' podium as Glenn Close for The Wife beat front-runner Lady Gaga as best drama actress, and Green Book triumphed over more high profile comediesVice and The Favourite.

"Oh my God. I just don't believe it," a tearful Close said of her win, before issuing a rallying cry to women to seek fulfilment in their careers.

"We have to say, I can do that, and I should be allowed to do that," the 71-year-old said, to huge applause from the gathering of A-list stars.

Streaming service Netflix, which has upended Hollywood by spending billions on original programming, won five Golden Globes across movies and television, including best foreign language film Roma.

The Mexican movie, which also took the prize for best director, is seen as an Oscar frontrunner in February.

Rami Malek, who won best drama actor for his role as late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in 20th Century Fox film Bohemian Rhapsody, dedicated his award to the British singer, who died of AIDS in 1991.

"I love you, you beautiful man. This is for you, and because of you, gorgeous," Malek said.

Vice, a scathing political comedy about the rise to power of former US Vice President Dick Cheney, went into Sunday's ceremony with a leading six nominations but emerged with just one win, for Christian Bale for his performance as Cheney.

"What do you think? Mitch McConnell next?" joked the Welsh-born actor, referring to the Senate's majority leader.

"Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration for this role."

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Mahershala Ali poses backstage with his Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role award in Any Motion Picture for "Green Book." (January 6, 2019)

Small Focus Features movie Green Book went home with the biggest haul - three - including best comedy, supporting actor (Mahershala Ali) and screenplay.

"This is beyond anything we ever imagined when we began shooting," said director and writer Peter Farrelly. He said the story of the black pianist who strikes up a friendship with his Italian-American driver gave him hope.

"I wanted to share that hope with you because we are still living in divided times," Farrelly said.

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Winner for Best Original Song - Motion Picture for "Shallow - A Star is Born" Lady Gaga poses with the trophy during the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards. (January 6, 2019)

Co-host Sandra Oh, who was born in Canada of Asian descent, paid tribute to the slew of Golden Globe-nominated films and TV shows featuring black and Asian actors and directors, including Crazy Rich Asians, Black Panther, and BlacKkKlansman.

"I wanted to be here to look out into this audience and witness this moment of change," Oh said. "Right now this moment is real. Because I see you ... all these faces of change. And now so will everyone else."

It was a good night for Oh, who as well as co-hosting her first Golden Globe ceremony was named best television drama actress for BBC America thriller Killing Eve.

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Best Director – Motion Picture and Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language for "Roma" winner Alfonso Cuaron poses with the trophy during the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards. (January 6, 2019)

In contrast to the political barbs, often directed at US President Donald Trump, that have marked recent awards shows, Sunday's Golden Globes had a more positive vibe.

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Ben Whishaw poses backstage with his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series and Motion Picture Made for Television for "A Very English Scandal." (January 6, 2019)

Lady Gaga, whose role in Warner Bros "A Star is Born" was her first lead part after a successful music career, won best original song for Shallow.

British actress Olivia Coleman was a winner for bawdy historical romp The Favourite.

In television, the big winners were Cold War spy thriller The Americans, limited series The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and new Netflix comedy The Kominsky Method.

Carol Burnett and Jeff Bridges were both awarded lifetime achievement Golden Globes.

TRT World's Mary MacCarthy has more from Los Angeles.

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