Best Picture Shocker: Did Wicked: For Good Make The Top 10 List For 2026?
Okay, settle in, grab your favorite beverage, because we need to talk about something that’s been buzzing around the internet like a hummingbird on a sugar rush: the 2026 Best Picture Oscar nominations. And more specifically, the huge potential shake-up that might have happened with a certain musical powerhouse. Yep, you guessed it. Are we talking about Wicked: For Good making the coveted Top 10 list? It’s the question on everyone’s lips, and honestly, the thought alone is giving me butterflies.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. “Wicked? The musical? For an Oscar?” And I get it! For years, the Academy has been, shall we say, a little… reserved when it comes to openly embracing big, splashy musicals in the Best Picture category. It feels like a different era for them, right? Like they’re more comfortable with their quiet indie dramas and historical epics. But darling, the movie landscape is changing, and so is the Academy. We’ve seen the shift with films like La La Land, even if it didn’t take home the ultimate prize that one memorable night. And then there’s the sheer cultural phenomenon that is Wicked.
Think about it. The original Broadway musical has been a global sensation for decades. It’s a story that resonates with so many people, exploring themes of friendship, judgment, and finding your own voice. It’s not just a musical; it’s an experience. And the movie adaptation? Well, from what we’ve heard and glimpsed, it’s shaping up to be an absolute spectacle. We’re talking stunning visuals, powerhouse performances, and that incredible score that’s already etched into our hearts.
So, the idea of Wicked: For Good (the second part of the film adaptation, of course – they split it up, remember?) not just getting nominated, but actually cracking that Top 10 list for Best Picture… it’s a delicious thought, isn't it? It would be a massive win, not just for the film itself, but for musical cinema as a whole. It would be like the Academy saying, “You know what? We’re ready to dance! We’re ready for the big, bold, emotionally resonant stories, even if they come with a catchy showtune.”
The Buzz and the Whispers
The whispers started, as they always do, with early festival screenings and critics’ reactions. And the buzz around the Wicked movies has been, for the most part, overwhelmingly positive. People are raving about the casting – Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda? Come on! That’s like assembling a dream team for a heist, but instead of stealing jewels, they’re stealing the show. And the early glimpses we’ve had of the production design and cinematography? It’s giving us pure, unadulterated magic.
Now, the Academy is a notoriously tricky beast. They have their established tastes, their favored genres. For a long time, a musical was seen as too… light. Too escapist. Like a delightful dessert, but not the main course of cinematic achievement. But we’ve seen that mentality start to crumble. Look at how far we’ve come from the days when musicals were mostly reserved for the technical awards. We’re talking about Parasite winning Best Picture, a film that was genre-bending and utterly unexpected. The door has been kicked open, and Wicked could be the next big act to waltz through it.
Why It’s More Than Just a Musical
What makes Wicked so special, and why could it genuinely contend for a Best Picture nomination? It’s the heart, folks. It’s the storytelling. It’s about taking a well-known narrative (the backstory of the witches from The Wizard of Oz) and flipping it on its head. It’s about empathy, about understanding that things aren’t always as they seem. Elphaba, the “wicked” witch, is portrayed as a misunderstood outcast, struggling with her identity and facing prejudice. Glinda, the seemingly perfect one, grapples with societal expectations and her own insecurities.
These are universal themes that resonate deeply. And the music? Oh, the music! Songs like “Defying Gravity” and, of course, “For Good” are anthems of self-acceptance and profound connection. When you translate that kind of emotional weight and thematic richness onto the big screen, with the kind of budget and talent that the Wicked movies are reportedly sporting, it’s bound to be something special. It’s not just about singing and dancing; it’s about telling a compelling story that moves you.
The Competition: A Tough Crowd
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we? The 2026 Oscar race is going to be packed. We can already anticipate the usual contenders: the critically acclaimed dramas, the historical biopics, the auteur-driven pieces that the Academy tends to adore. Will there be a sprawling historical drama that sweeps everyone off their feet? Or a gritty, character-driven film that everyone is talking about at coffee shops? Almost certainly.
And then there are the other potential musical contenders. Hollywood is always looking for the next big hit, and if Wicked does well, it could inspire a whole wave of big-budget musical adaptations. But Wicked has a unique advantage: its existing, massive fanbase. This isn’t a brand-new story trying to break through; it’s a beloved classic being brought to life in a way that’s never been done before on screen. That kind of built-in goodwill is a powerful thing.
What a Nomination Would Mean
If Wicked: For Good actually makes it onto that Best Picture Top 10 list, it would be nothing short of historic. It would be a loud and clear message that the Academy is embracing the diversity of cinematic storytelling. It would validate the power of musical cinema to not only entertain but also to provoke thought and stir emotions on a grand scale. Imagine the acceptance speech! Imagine the sheer joy of seeing this vibrant, magical world get its due on the biggest stage in Hollywood.
It would be like a underdog story itself, a musical proving it has the substance and the spectacle to go toe-to-toe with any genre. It would be a win for anyone who has ever been moved by a song, anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, anyone who believes in the power of true friendship. It’s the kind of nomination that would have people talking for years, sparking conversations about what makes a film truly worthy of the highest honor.
So, while we’re still a ways out from the official nominations, and the competition will undoubtedly be fierce, the possibility of Wicked: For Good crashing the Best Picture party is just… thrilling. It’s the kind of prediction that makes awards season so much fun. We’ll be watching, we’ll be hoping, and we’ll definitely be singing along. Because if there’s one thing Wicked has taught us, it’s that sometimes, the most unlikely things can be the most extraordinary. And who knows? Maybe this year, the Emerald City will truly shine on Oscar night.