"Avatar" joins "E.T. the Extraterrestrial" as the only science-fiction films to be crowned champs at the Golden Globes. Since "E.T." won way back in 1982, no other sci-fi film has even contended at the Golden Globes till "Avatar." Nearly three decades ago, "E.T." was on its way to the top of the all-time box office chart when it beat "Missing," "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Sophie's Choice" and "The Verdict" to take best drama at the Golden Globes. However, at the Oscars, "E.T" was edged for best picture by "Gandhi," which had won foreign film at the Golden Globes.

The only other sci-films to vie for best picture honors at the Golden Globes -- "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Star Wars" -- did so in 1977. They both lost that race to "The Turning Point," which then went down to defeat in all 11 of its bids at the Oscars. That "record" achievement was matched in 1985 by "The Color Purple" directed by "E.T." helmer Steven Spielberg. 

"Avatar" visionary James Cameron added a matching pair of Golden Globes to his collection Sunday. In 1997, he won two of his three Golden Globe bids for "Titanic" -- best drama and director -- losing the screenplay race to eventual Oscar champs Ben Affleck and Matt Damon for "Good Will Hunting."

Photo: "Avatar" poster. Credit: Fox

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