At the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards, literary adaptations stood out, claiming the spotlight with a slew of top honors. The ceremony, held at the Beverly Hills Hilton in California, celebrated the best in both film and television, showcasing the power of storytelling across various mediums.

One of the evening’s standout winners was “Oppenheimer,” which took home the award for Best Drama Film. Based on Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s biography “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” the film delves into the life of the influential figure behind the development of the atomic bomb. Not only did “Oppenheimer” secure the prestigious Best Drama Film accolade, but it also swept up additional awards, including Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr., Best Director for Christopher Nolan, and Best Original Score.

In the musical or comedy category, “Poor Things” emerged victorious, adapted from Alasdair Gray’s novel “Poor Things: Episodes From the Early Life of Archibald McCandless M.D., Scottish Public Health Officer.” Emma Stone’s captivating performance earned her the award for Best Actress, adding to the film’s triumph.

Another literary adaptation making waves was “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which clinched the Best Actress in a Drama Film award for Lily Gladstone. Based on David Grann’s book “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of FBI,” Gladstone’s win marked a significant milestone as the first time an Indigenous woman has received a Golden Globe.

However, not all literary adaptations received accolades on this star-studded night. “The Zone of Interest,” a Holocaust film based on Martin Amis’ novel, received three nominations but failed to secure a win. Similarly, “American Fiction,” adapted from Percival Everett’s novel “Erasure,” and “The Color Purple,” a film musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer- and National Book Award–winning novel, each received two nominations but ultimately left empty-handed.

Despite the mixed outcomes for literary adaptations, their presence and impact on the Golden Globe stage underscored the enduring influence of literature in shaping compelling narratives for the screen. As the night came to a close, it was evident that these adaptations had left an indelible mark on audiences and critics alike, reaffirming the timeless allure of storytelling across diverse genres and platforms.