At a Glance
- 10 nominations and 2 awards for the first part of Wicked at the 2025 Oscars.
- Wicked: For Good received no nominations for the 2026 Academy Awards.
- January 22, 2026: nominations announced; March 15, 2026: ceremony hosted by Conan O’Brien.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who both earned Oscar nods for the original Wicked, were left out of the 2026 Academy Awards ballot for the sequel Wicked: For Good. The first film secured ten nominations and two trophies last year, but the follow-up has not been recognized by the Academy. The nominations were announced on January 22, and the ceremony will take place on March 15, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.
Oscars 2026 Nominations
The Academy announced its 2026 nominations on January 22, 2026. The slate included categories such as Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Actress. While the original Wicked earned a spot in the awards conversation last year, the sequel Wicked: For Good did not receive any nods. The decision means that Ariana Grande, who was up for Best Supporting Actress, and Cynthia Erivo, vying for Best Actress, were omitted from the ballot.
Wicked: For Good Misses the Ballot
Wicked: For Good is the second part of a two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Despite the momentum built by the first installment, the sequel failed to capture the Academy’s attention. No nominations were granted in any category, leaving the film and its lead actresses without recognition at the 2026 Oscars.
First Part of Wicked Earns Awards
Last year, the original Wicked received 10 nominations and ultimately won two awards at the 2025 Academy Awards. The film’s success highlighted the musical’s cultural impact and the performances of its stars. The accolades included wins in categories that showcased the production’s musical and dramatic strengths.
Competition and Snubs
The 2025 Oscars saw fierce competition. For Best Actress, Mikey Madison won over Cynthia Erivo for her role in Anora. In Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña claimed the award over Ariana Grande, who had earned a nomination for her performance in Emilia Pérez. These outcomes illustrate the narrow margins and high stakes of the Academy’s selections.
Golden Globe and Critics Choice Results
Both Erivo and Grande were nominated at the Golden Globe Awards, but neither secured a win. At the Globes, Rose Byrne triumphed over Erivo in the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Meanwhile, Teyana Taylor won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role over Grande for One Battle After Another.
At the Critics Choice Awards in January, Erivo was again snubbed, receiving no nomination for Wicked: For Good, while Grande was nominated. The Critics Choice panel’s decisions mirrored the Academy’s omission of the sequel.
Conan O’Brien Returns as Host
Conan O’Brien will host the Oscars live on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, with a streaming option on Hulu. His return as host follows a history of engaging performances and comedic monologues that have become a staple of the ceremony’s broadcast.
Behind the Scenes: Two-Part Film
The Wicked franchise has expanded from stage to screen with a two-part film adaptation. The first part built a strong fan base and achieved critical acclaim, while the second part, Wicked: For Good, continues the story but has yet to achieve similar recognition from major award bodies. The Academy’s decision to exclude the sequel may reflect a shift in industry focus or a strategic choice about the film’s themes and production values.
Key Takeaways
- 10 nominations and 2 awards for the first Wicked film in 2025.
- No nominations for Wicked: For Good in 2026.
- January 22, 2026: nominations announced; March 15, 2026: ceremony hosted by Conan O’Brien.
- Competing nominees like Mikey Madison and Zoe Saldaña secured wins over Erivo and Grande.
- Both actresses were recognized at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, but the Academy’s ballot excluded the sequel.
The contrast between the first film’s success and the sequel’s omission underscores the unpredictable nature of award selections and the evolving landscape of musical adaptations in cinema.
