Wicked Snubbed at Oscar Nominations
The 2026 Academy Award nominations sparked discussion with the apparent snubbing of "Wicked," the high-profile musical adaptation that entered awards season as a presumed frontrunner. The omission generated widespread commentary about the Academy's rationale and implications for future genre films.
The complete shutout of "Wicked: For Good" was especially jarring given the major success of its predecessor just one year prior. The first installment, "Wicked," scored an impressive 10 nominations at the 2025 Oscars, including for Best Picture, and took home two awards for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. The sequel's total omission extended to categories many considered likely nominations. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were overlooked for acting nods, and Stephen Schwartz's two new original songs for the film, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble," failed to secure a nomination. The film was also absent from the technical categories it previously won. While "Wicked: For Good" was a box office success, its critical reception was more tepid than the first film. The original "Wicked" boasted an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, whereas the sequel landed at a lower 72%. Some critics questioned the necessity of splitting the story into two parts. This isn't the first time a major movie musical has been overlooked by the Academy. The 1952 classic "Singin' in the Rain" is considered one of the greatest musicals ever made, yet it only received two nominations and won zero Oscars. The Academy has a history of surprising omissions when it comes to genre films.
