The 2026 Oscar nominations delivered a major surprise by completely overlooking Wicked: For Good. The musical sequel, which concludes the story of Glinda and Elphaba, received zero nominations. This result came as a shock after the first film, Wicked, earned ten Academy Award nods just last year. Among those reacting to the snub was singer Charlie Puth, who publicly called the decision a disappointment.
The 2026 Oscar Nomination Shock for ‘Wicked: For Good’
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards were announced on Thursday, January 22. The list confirmed that Wicked: For Good was shut out across all categories. This included the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories, where stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were not nominated.
The film also missed nominations for its two original songs, No Place Like Home and The Girl in the Bubble, which were eligible for the first time. This outcome was unexpected for a major studio release that was a significant box office hit.
Charlie Puth’s Public Reaction to the Snub
Singer and songwriter Charlie Puth shared his thoughts on the nominations on social media platform X. He directly expressed his support for the film’s leading stars.
“Ariana and Cynthia not getting nominated for Wicked is such a disappointment,” Puth wrote. “I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I believe the amazing musicality they both showcased should be acknowledged.”
Puth’s post highlighted the musical performances at the heart of the film. His reaction was noted by fans and entertainment news outlets as a prominent voice from within the music industry commenting on the awards snub.
How ‘Wicked: For Good’ Compares to the First Film
The complete lack of nominations for the sequel stands in stark contrast to the awards success of the first movie. Wicked (2024) was a major awards contender, securing 10 Oscar nominations at the 2025 ceremony. Those nominations included Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande. The first film ultimately won Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
The critical reception for the two films also differed. While the first film was widely praised, reviews for Wicked: For Good were more mixed. This cooler reception from critics is seen as a factor in its awards season performance.
Fan Reactions to the Oscar Nominations
Fans of the film and its stars were vocal online about their disappointment. Many focused on Ariana Grande’s performance, arguing that her work deserved recognition.
One fan wrote on social media, “I can’t believe we are living in a world where Ariana Grande doesn’t receive one single televised award for filming a 5 hour movie… I’m just shook.”
Other comments on social media suggested that the film itself might not have matched the quality of the first part. One user stated, “Wicked For Good was half the film that Wicked was. Didn’t recapture any of the magic and the new songs weren’t very good.” Another comment pointed out, “probably because it’s one movie in two parts, not a sequel so they already got nominated last time.”
Box Office Success Despite Awards Outcome
Despite the Oscar snub, Wicked: For Good was a clear financial success for Universal Pictures. The film enjoyed a 30% larger domestic opening weekend than the first Wicked movie. The two films together have generated a combined worldwide gross of nearly $1.3 billion, establishing Wicked as a major franchise for the studio.
Studio executives have acknowledged the value of the franchise. David O’Connor, president of franchise management at Universal Pictures, told the LA Times that the property has “emerged as a much-needed, fresh tentpole for Universal.” The studio has even suggested it is open to exploring more stories within the Wicked universe in the future.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will air live on ABC on March 15.
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Stay tuned to VVIP Times for more updates and reactions from the 2026 awards season.
