Every actress interviewed during on the red carpet during the telecast of the show wore black, with many saying the statement showed solidarity and robust support for women's empowerment and equality in the entertainment industry and beyond.
They were prompted to wear black by Time's Up Now, an organization founded by women working in film, television and theatre following last year's revelations of widespread sexual harassment and abuse in the industry.
Most men who walked the red carpet also dressed in black with pins supporting the movement stuck in their tuxedo and suit lapels.
In his opening monologue Seth Meyers made light of his role as the host of the first awards show since sexual harassment and abuse scandals rocked Hollywood, comparing himself to "the first dog they shot into outer space."
Meyers addressed the sexual harassment scandal from the top, taking particular aim at the conspicuously absent Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
“Good evening, ladies and remaining gentlemen,” he began. “Happy New Year, Hollywood. It’s 2018, marijuana is finally allowed and sexual harassment finally isn’t. It’s going to be a good year."
Among the early winners were Nicole Kidman for best actress in a limited television series for "Big Little Lies;" Sam Rockwell for best actor in a supporting role in a motion picture for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri;" and Elisabeth Moss for best actress in a television series for "The Handmaid's Tale," which also won the prize for best television series - drama.
Actor James Franco won the best actor in a comedy or musical motion picture for his role in "The Disaster Artist." The 39-year-old, who also directed the film, stars in the movie about the making of the 2003 independent drama "The Room," which became a cult classic for being an awful movie.
German drama "In the Fade," which stars Diane Kruger as a woman who seeks revenge after her Kurdish husband and son are killed in a bomb attack, won best foreign film.
The 75th Golden Globes are being presented in 25 categories honouring the best in film and television.
Guillermo del Toro's fantasy thriller "The Shape of Water," starring Sally Hawkins, leads with seven nominations including best drama, best director and best actress in a motion picture drama, while the dramas "The Post" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" each received six nods for the top prizes.
Tom Hanks, James Franco, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan and Hawkins are strong favourites in the best actor and best actress categories.
For television prizes, "Black-ish," "Will & Grace," "The Crown," "Game of Thrones" and "The Handmaid's Tale" are among the nominated programmes.
The Weinstein scandal, which broke in October, centred on alleged sexual harassment and assault by movie producer Harvey Weinstein. It unleashed a torrent of allegations from crude talk to sexual harassment, unwanted touching and rape across the entertainment industry and beyond.
Numerous executives in the US news and entertainment industries and beyond resigned or were forced to resign after similar accusations were made about their behaviour in the workplace.
The Golden Globes are awarded annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The votes of fewer than 100 people, mostly foreign film critics determine the award winners.
They are closely watched because in recent years the Globes have often tipped Oscar nominees and winners, making them a sneak peek at Hollywood's top prizes.