Golden Globes 2014 nominations: The biggest snubs and surprises

The nominations for next year's Golden Globes awards have been announced with '12 Years a Slave' and 'American Hustle' leading the pack with seven nominations each, followed by 'Nebraska' on five. 

'Captain Phillips' and 'Gravity' also scooped four noms a piece in the annual awards often seen as indicator to the films tipped for Oscar glory.

[Golden Globes 2014 nominations announced]

As is the case every year, the nominations have thrown up a few surprises: Hotly-tipped films slip under the radar while a few names sneak onto the list catching everyone off guard.

Here are the biggest surprises to come out of this year's list.

'The Butler' snubbed
With its star-studded ensemble cast (Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard) and 'Forrest Gump' style American history lesson, Lee Daniels' account of an African-American butler who witnesses key moments of history from the corridors of the White House, seemed to have gongs written all over it (not literally).

[Daniels filmed 'The Butler' in pyjamas]

However, the Golden Globes shut the film out completely, as the film failed to pick up a single nomination. A disappointing turn of events for the director who was showered with glory in 2009 for gritty urban drama 'Precious'.

James Gandolfini gone and seemingly forgotten
Many people had expected the recently departed 'Sopranos' actor to get a Best Actor in Comedy or Musical nod for his nuanced performance opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfuss in bittersweet comedy 'Enough Said', but he was sadly overlooked in this year's list.

Gandolfini won a Best Actor in a Drama Series Golden Globe in 1999 for his role of mob boss Tony Soprano in HBO's hit gangster show 'The Sopranos'.

Monsters University in detention
Having picked up an Animated Feature nomination every year since the award's introduction in 2006, and winning 6 out of those 7 battles, Pixar's snub this year must feel especially cruel for the studio.

The prequel to the much-loved Monsters Inc was overlooked in favour of 'The Croods', 'Despicable Me 2', and 'Frozen'.

Rush overtakes rivals
Ron Howard's Formula One biopic 'Rush' was warmly received by critics and audiences upon release earlier this year, but the film's sole award buzz focussed on Daniel Brühl's performance as Austrian racer Nikki Lauda.

[Chris Hemsworth reveals dramatic weightloss for new film]

Brühl has been nominated (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) but it's the Best Motion Picture nomination that's got award watchers puzzled in an already strong year for drama, with many predicting glory for the overlooked 'Saving Mr Banks'.

Frances Who?
Mumblecore darling Greta Gerwig picked up a surprise Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her performance in the black and white quarter-life crisis comedy from 'Squid and the Whale' director Noah Baumbach.

It's a surprising nomination for the indie star, who apparently commented on her nod: "When the phone rang this morning, I silenced it and I thought, 'Ugh, who do I owe money to?'"

No room for Prisoners or Fruitvale Station
'The Butler' wasn't the only high-profile shut-out - both 'Prisoners' and 'Fruitvale Station' had been tipped for glory, but neither managed a single nomination come judgement day.

Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal both gave startling performances in the gruelling child abduction drama 'Prisoners' while Michael B Jordan was widely expected to get a nom for the Sundance Grand Jury-winning 'Fruitvale Station'.

Globes done good?
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was how on the money the Globes nominations seemed to be this year.

[James Cameron calls 'Gravity' "best space film yet"]

'12 Years a Slave', 'Gravity' and 'American Hustle' seem to be leading the pack when it comes to awards buzz so far, so as long as the Globes stay on course and give the prizes to those most deserving, there won't be any grumbling when the winners are announced by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on January 12, 2014.