Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Lead ‘Wicked’ to 10 Oscar Nominations, Including Best Picture

If you care to find Wicked, look to the 2025 Oscars. The NBCUniversal critical and box office smash scored 10 nominations, the second most of the year alongside The Brutalist.

Wicked’s witches of Oz both earned acting nods. Cynthia Erivo was nominated for lead actress in a leading role for Elphaba, meanwhile Ariana Grande was nominated in the supporting actress category for Glinda/Galinda. The film also slid into one of the 10 best picture spots. As expected, the film had a massive showing in the crafts categories. Wicked earned nominations in production design, sound, visual effects, costume design, editing and hair and makeup styling.

Similar to the Golden Globes, despite an overall strong showing for the film, helmer John M. Chu and the film’s writers were shut out from the directing and writing categories. Wicked, whose soundtrack managed to debut No. 2 on the Billboard 200 last year, was not eligible for the original song category given the film used only songs from the original musical. The film did manage to score a best original score nomination. Chu recently said part two will feature two new songs, one of which Erivo co-wrote, according to the actress.

Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz. The film and the forthcoming Wicked: Part Two, set to hit theaters in November 2025, are based on the 2003 musical of the same name, which was originally adapted from the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. Winnie Holzman, the stage production’s book writer, wrote the screenplay for Chu’s movie with Dana Fox. Academy Award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz returned to the show to adapt the musical for the screen. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, and made cameos in the film.