Oscars 2026 snub explained: What went wrong for starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo starrer ‘Wicked: For Good’

The 2026 Oscar nominations came with their usual surprises, but one omission stood out immediately. ‘Wicked: For Good’ did not receive a single nomination. For a franchise that felt unstoppable just a year ago, the silence was loud. Many film fans stared at the list, refreshed their screens, and waited. Nothing changed.

The musical sequel was shut out at the 98th Academy Awards, a sharp turn from the success of ‘Wicked’ in 2025. That earlier film earned 10 nominations and won two Oscars for production design and costume design. It also owned the night in less measurable ways. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande opened the ceremony with a live performance that made the film feel like part of Oscar history, not just a nominee.

'Wicked': For Good Oscar snub shocks awards season

The nominations were announced on January 22, 2026, and debate followed almost instantly. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ‘Wicked: For Good’ did not appear in any category. For industry watchers, the absence felt baffling. This was not a small sequel released quietly and forgotten. It arrived with expectations, money, and a built-in fan base.

Many expected Ariana Grande to land a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Others assumed the film would show up in costume design, visual effects, or original song. None of that happened.

The warning signs were there. Reviews landed softer this time. ‘Wicked’ held an 88 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. ‘Wicked: For Good’ slipped to 66 percent. The Telegraph critic Robbie Collin did not hold back, writing, “Ariana Grande is painfully wooden in Wicked's irritating sequel.” The New Yorker was harsher still. Justin Chang titled his review, “Wicked: For Good is Very, Very Bad.”

Reviews and reception hurt 'Wicked' sequel awards hopes

The film did pick up Golden Globe nominations for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. It also earned recognition for cinematic and box office achievement and secured two Best Original Song nominations. That suggested momentum. But it never crossed over.

Directed by Jon M. Chu and released on November 21, 2025, the sequel followed Elphaba and Glinda deeper into power, fame, and fracture in Oz. The world looked bigger. The emotions were louder. Yet something did not land.

The Academy Awards will air on March 15, 2026.

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