‘Wicked: For Good‘ Soars into Oscar Contention: Can Grande and Erivo Capture gold?
The highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good, is now captivating audiences in theaters and quickly becoming a frontrunner in the upcoming awards season. With a strong box office performance and critical acclaim, the film – the second installment adapting Stephen Schwartz and Winnie holzman’s hit broadway show – is generating meaningful Oscar buzz for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Following last year’s Wicked which secured Oscars for production and costume design alongside 10 total nominations, including a Best Picture nod, the question on Hollywood’s mind is whether Wicked: For Good can replicate, or even surpass, that success.
A Sequel’s Uphill Battle
The Academy Awards have historically been challenging for sequels.While Robert De Niro won an Oscar for The Godfather Part II, he did not appear in the original film, making him a unique case. “no actor has ever won an Oscar for a sequel,” one analyst noted. However, Erivo, previously nominated for her role in 2019’s Harriet, could achieve the rare distinction of an “EGO” winner – a performer winning an award for the same role across multiple films – should she prevail.
The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 16, 2026, leaving ample time for the film to build momentum. the fall release date is strategically positioned for awards consideration,remaining fresh in voters’ minds and bolstered by a strong box office showing.
Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: For Good) is considered a strong contender for Best Actress, facing competition from Carey Mulligan (The Echo Chamber), Zendaya (American Requiem), Saoirse Ronan (The last stop), Emma Stone (The Other side of Heaven), Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), and Rose Byrne (If I had Legs I’d Kick You). Despite this, one analyst questioned whether Wicked: For Good‘s box office success could sway voters, noting that “it’s rare that an actor wins an Oscar for a role in a mega blockbuster,” but pointing to exceptions like Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) and Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer).
Another pundit cautioned that even strong support for Grande could be insufficient to propel Erivo to victory, stating, “even if every voter who votes for Grande also votes for Erivo, the competition is just so much fiercer in Best Actress that it may not be enough for them to come along together a second year in a row.”
Grande’s Rising Star in Supporting Actress
Ariana Grande is generating significant praise for her portrayal of Glinda, with The New York Times‘ Kyle Buchanan highlighting her dramatic work and The Daily Beast‘s Kevin fallon boldly declaring, “Give Ariana Grande the Oscar for Her ‘Wicked: For good’ Performance.”
The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood described Grande’s performance as “stunning,” suggesting she “could absolutely win” the Supporting Actress Oscar. Benefiting from fewer competitors in musical roles this year, Grande faces a field including Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall (One Battle After Another), Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Wunmi Mosak (Sinners), and Amy Madigan (Weapons).
After competing against Monica Barbaro and Zoe Saldaña at last year’s Oscars, Grande appears to be in a stronger position this time around.
Wicked: For Good currently stars alongside a talented ensemble cast including Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh. For those seeking a deeper dive, a special edition of PEOPLE magazine dedicated to the film is now available. the film’s success signals a potentially magical awards season for the world of Oz.
