Lesbian romance drama "Carol" led the Golden Globe nominations on Thursday with five nods, including the top category for best drama, while Wall Street misdeeds movie "The Big Short" led the comedy film categories with four nominations.

"Carol," the story of a married older woman who falls in love with a young shopgirl in the 1950s, will contend for best drama opposite Pioneer-era movie "The Revenant," psychological thriller "Room," Catholic Church abuse probe "Spotlight" and action thriller "Mad Max: Fury Road."

"Carol" lead stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both landed best actress nominations, and the movie also picked up nods for director Todd Haynes and for best original score.

"The Big Short," which takes a quirky look at the housing bubble crash that led to the 2008 recession, will contend for best comedy/musical film alongside space adventure "The Martian," Melissa McCarthy caper "Spy," coming-of-age comedy "Trainwreck" and "Joy," inspired by the story of the Miracle Mop creator.

"The Big Short" also landed two best actor nods for Christian Bale and Steve Carell, and best screenplay for Charles Randolph and Adam McKay. "The Revenant" and biopic "Steve Jobs" also landed four nominations each.

The Golden Globes are chosen by a group of around 90 journalists of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, rather than members of the film industry.

But the Globes do mirror picks by critic's groups and are seen as one of the indicators of Oscar contenders. Last year's Golden Globe best comedy/musical film winner, "Birdman," went on to win the best picture Oscar.

Golden Globe winners will be announced at a televised ceremony in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, hosted by comedian Ricky Gervais.-Reuters