The bliss felt by the “La La Land” cast and crew was likely mirrored by the disappointment of those involved with “Moonlight,” the night’s second-most-nominated film. Despite six nominations, “Moonlight,” about a young black man growing up in Miami, received a lone trophy — albeit an important one: best drama. “Please, tell a friend, tell a friend, tell a friend,” Barry Jenkins, the director of “Moonlight,” said in accepting the award, trying to boost the art film’s box office performance.

A year after Hollywood was excoriated for its lack of diversity at the Oscars, inclusion was a major theme on Sunday. “This is for all of the women of color and colorful people whose stories, ideas, thoughts are not always considered worthy,” said Tracee Ellis Ross, as she accepted the best television actress Globe for her role in the ABC series “black-ish.” “I want you to know that I see you. We see you.” Ms. Ross was the first black woman to win in the category since 1983, when Debbie Allen won for “Fame.”

There were several surprises. Isabelle Huppert took best actress in a drama for the French film “Elle,” beating Natalie Portman, who was favored to win for “Jackie.” (“Elle,” a thriller about a businesswoman who tracks her rapist, also won best foreign film.) The foreign journalists who bestow the Globes are known for spreading their awards far and wide, but several films received nothing, including “Florence Foster Jenkins,” “Lion,” “Hacksaw Ridge” and “Hell or High Water.” “Manchester by the Sea,” despite five nominations, was honored only in the best actor category for Casey Affleck.

HBO, despite 14 nominations, the most of any network, was shut out altogether.

The first award of the night, for best supporting actor, dropped jaws: Aaron Taylor-Johnson won for his performance in Tom Ford’s little-seen “Nocturnal Animals,” beating favorites like Mahershala Ali of “Moonlight.” “I made it — thank you,” Mr. Taylor-Johnson said, looking a bit startled. To the surprise of almost no one, Viola Davis took the supporting actress prize for playing a 1950s homemaker in “Fences.” After doling out two kisses, one to her husband and one to Denzel Washington, who directed “Fences” and stars in it, Ms. Davis thanked its producers for taking a risk on the film.

“It doesn’t scream moneymaker,” she said. “But it does scream art. It does scream heart.”

Early television awards were widely distributed. The slow-burning FX series “Atlanta,” about an aspiring rapper and his manager cousin, was honored as best comedy and Donald Glover won for best comedic actor for his performance in the show. Beating the likes of Rami Malek (“Mr. Robot”) and Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”) for best actor in a drama was Billy Bob Thornton, honored for his performance in “Goliath,” a show with little buzz. Best actress in a TV drama went to Claire Foy, who plays a young Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s “The Crown,” which won for best dramatic series.

As expected, “The People vs. O. J. Simpson: Crime Story” was named best mini-series, and Sarah Paulson, repeating her win at the Emmys, collected a trophy for her portrayal of the prosecutor Marcia Clark in that show. A misty-eyed Ms. Paulson was showered with hugs from A-listers as she returned to her seat.