BEVERLY HILLS, California (Reuters) - Slavery drama "12 Years a Slave" and 1970s con-artist caper "American Hustle" led the Golden Globe Awards nominations announced on Thursday with seven nods each, fortifying their frontrunner positions ahead of the Oscars.
In the coveted best drama category, "12 Years a Slave" will compete against piracy tale "Captain Phillips," space thriller "Gravity," adoption drama "Philomena," and race-car rivalry "Rush."
"American Hustle," was nominated for best comedy or musical, alongside computer-age romance "Her," folk singer tale "Inside Llewyn Davis," heartland ode "Nebraska" and financial tale "The Wolf of Wall Street."
"12 Years a Slave," a real-life story about a free black man sold into slavery, has been a top contender for awards since winning at the Toronto International Film Festival. On Wednesday, it won the most nominations for acting awards from the Screen Actors Guild, with four nods.
"Nebraska" won five Golden Globe nominations overall, including best actor in a comedy or musical for veteran actor Bruce Dern. "Captain Phillips" and "Gravity" each secured four nominations.
Civil rights drama "Lee Daniels' The Butler," which earned three SAG acting nods, received no Golden Globe nominations.
The Golden Globes, organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will be handed out on January 12 in Beverly Hills. They are one of the biggest ceremonies in the Hollywood awards season leading to the Oscars in March.
(Reporting by Mary Milliken; Editing by Vicki Allen)