Golden Globes Best Actress in a Movie Drama Nominees

The Golden Globes Best Actress in a Movie Drama nominees are recognized for their outstanding performances in a variety of different dramatic films. These are the nominees for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama, as decided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, or HFPA. Originally the Golden Globe Best Actress award included actresses in both drama and comedy or musical movies. In 1951, this category was officially split into two awards.

The actresses who receive Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Movie Drama are often heavy hitters and veterans (think Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Jodie Foster), though in recent years, some newcomers have also been recognized for their work (Jennifer Lawrence, who was nominated for 2010's 'Winter's Bone,' comes to mind). The winner of the 2012 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Movie Drama was Meryl Streep for "The Iron Lady."

Other recent winners of the Golden Globes Best Actress in a Movie Drama include Natalie Portman for 2010's 'Black Swan,' Sandra Bullock for 2009's 'The Blind Side,' Kate Winslett for 'Revolutionary Road' in 2008 and Julie Christie for 2007's 'Away From Her.' Occasionally, the actress who wins the Best Dramatic Actress Golden Globe goes on to win the Academy Award as well (as Portman and Bullock are examples).

Each and every one of the Golden Globes Best Actress in a Movie Drama nominees on this list brought their characters to life on the big screen, digging in deep and using their talents to capture our imagination (and our awe) in some of the best dramatic films of the year.