Oscar Snub: 'Wicked: For Good' Shut Out of 2026 Academy Award Nominations
The 2026 Oscar nominations arrived with their customary share of surprises, but one glaring omission immediately captured attention across the entertainment industry. 'Wicked: For Good,' the highly anticipated musical sequel, failed to secure a single nomination at the 98th Academy Awards. For a franchise that appeared unstoppable just one year prior, the silence from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was particularly deafening.
A Sharp Turn from Previous Success
This complete shutout represents a dramatic reversal from the triumph of the original 'Wicked' film in 2025. That earlier cinematic adaptation earned an impressive 10 Oscar nominations and ultimately secured two wins for production design and costume design. Beyond the tangible awards, the film owned the night in less measurable ways. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande opened the ceremony with a spectacular live performance that cemented the film's place in Oscar history, making it feel like an integral part of the awards tradition rather than just another nominee.
Many film enthusiasts stared at the nomination list in disbelief, refreshing their screens repeatedly, hoping for a different outcome. Nothing changed. The musical sequel was entirely excluded from consideration, a development that left industry observers genuinely baffled. This was not some minor sequel released quietly into the market and subsequently forgotten. 'Wicked: For Good' arrived with substantial expectations, significant financial backing, and a massive built-in fan base that had been eagerly awaiting its release.
Missed Expectations Across Multiple Categories
The nominations were officially announced on January 22, 2026, and debate erupted almost instantly. Many had expected Ariana Grande to land a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category. Others assumed the film would naturally appear in technical categories such as costume design, visual effects, or original song. None of these predictions materialized, leaving the film completely absent from the awards conversation.
Warning signs had been present in the lead-up to the nominations. Critical reception for the sequel proved noticeably softer than for its predecessor. While the original 'Wicked' film maintained an impressive 88 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, 'Wicked: For Good' slipped to a more modest 66 percent. Prominent critics did not hold back in their assessments. The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote pointedly, "Ariana Grande is painfully wooden in Wicked's irritating sequel." The New Yorker's Justin Chang delivered an even harsher verdict, titling his review, "Wicked: For Good is Very, Very Bad."
Golden Globe Recognition Failed to Translate
Despite the Oscar snub, the film did receive some recognition during awards season. It picked up Golden Globe nominations for both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Additionally, it earned recognition for cinematic and box office achievement and secured two nominations for Best Original Song. This suggested some momentum might be building, but it ultimately failed to cross over to the Academy's consideration.
Directed by Jon M. Chu and released on November 21, 2025, the sequel followed Elphaba and Glinda deeper into themes of power, fame, and fracture within the magical world of Oz. The cinematic world appeared larger in scale, and the emotional stakes were amplified. Yet, despite these ambitious elements, something crucial failed to resonate with Academy voters.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on March 15, 2026, where the entertainment world will gather to celebrate the year's cinematic achievements, albeit without any recognition for 'Wicked: For Good.'
