Wicked: For Good Misses Out on All 2026 Oscar Nods
After a strong showing last year, the Wicked sequel was completely overlooked at the 2026 Oscars—even in categories where it was tipped to shine. Find out which films and stars made the cut instead.
Wicked: For Good, the much-anticipated follow-up to last year’s hit, has been left empty-handed at the 2026 Oscar nominations. Despite the original film’s impressive haul of ten nods in 2025, the sequel didn’t score a single mention this time around. Punters had been keen to see Ariana Grande recognised for her performance as Glinda, but her name was nowhere to be found when the nominations were read out.
Adding to the surprise, the sequel featured two fresh tracks not included in the original Broadway show. Many reckoned these new songs were written with awards in mind, but the Academy had other ideas. Instead, the Best Original Song category was filled by tunes from Kpop Demon Hunters, Sinners, Train Dreams, Diane Warren: Relentless, and Viva Verdi!—leaving Wicked: For Good out in the cold.
Last Year’s Success and This Year’s Shutout
Back in 2025, the first Wicked film was a major player at the Oscars, picking up nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress (Cynthia Erivo), Best Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande), Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. It even took home trophies for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. This year, though, the sequel couldn’t get a look-in, even in technical categories where it seemed a shoo-in.
It wasn’t just Wicked: For Good that missed out. One Battle After Another’s Chase Infiniti, who’d been tipped for a Best Actress nod for her role as the teenage daughter of Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Bob, was also overlooked. Park Chan-wook’s new black comedy, No Other Choice, failed to make the cut for Best International Feature, despite plenty of buzz.
Surprises and Snubs in the 2026 Line-Up
There were a few curveballs in the acting categories as well. Paul Mescal, who played William Shakespeare in Hamnet, didn’t land a Best Actor nomination, even though the film picked up eight other nods. Instead, Delroy Lindo from Sinners was a surprise addition to the list, catching many off guard.
The 2026 Oscars ceremony is set for Sunday, 15 March. While some fans might be disappointed by the snubs, there’s still plenty to look forward to. If you’re keen to plan your next trip to the cinema, check out our guide to the best upcoming films to add to your watchlist.