Wicked: For Good’ Fell Flat When It Came to Golden Globes Magic

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo had reason to celebrate on Monday as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association unveiled the 2026 Golden Globe nominations. Both stars of “Wicked: For Good” earned repeat acting nods following their recognition for the franchise’s first installment. The film itself, however, did not share in their awards momentum.

Erivo once again secured a nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her portrayal of Elphaba, continuing her critically acclaimed run in the role. Grande also received her second consecutive nomination, landing in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance as Glinda. Their dual recognition marks a notable achievement for the pair, who have become the face of the blockbuster musical series.

But while the actresses continued to collect accolades, the film they headline was largely overlooked. “Wicked: For Good” failed to score a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, a surprising omission given the film’s strong performance at the global box office and its status as one of the few major successes in an otherwise sluggish year for Hollywood. Director Jon M. Chu, who helmed both installments, was also absent from the director category, a snub that caught industry watchers off guard.

The sequel did manage to earn a nomination in the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement category, a relatively new classification that the original “Wwicked” captured in its release year. Still, fans and analysts expected the film to compete more broadly, especially considering the enormous cultural footprint of the franchise and the anticipation surrounding the second chapter.

Social media reaction to “Wicked: For Good” has been more restrained than for its predecessor. Some viewers noted that many of the Broadway musical’s most iconic songs appeared in the first film, while the sequel leans into a darker narrative arc, shifting its emotional tone. Even so, the music from the sequel found recognition at Monday’s announcement: “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” both secured nominations for Best Original Song – Motion Picture.

The Golden Globes are set to take place on January 11, 2026, with comedian Nikki Glaser returning as host.