Why Wicked: For Good Flopped at the Oscars

 

The video discusses why Wicked: For Good, despite high expectations, received zero Oscar nominations (0:00-0:07), especially when the first Wicked film was a major Oscar success (0:54). The host, Brian, highlights initial reasons for optimism, including: The first Wicked film's phenomenal success (1:01), grossing over $750 million worldwide (1:06) and earning 10 Oscar nominations, winning two for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design (2:13). Both Wicked films were filmed simultaneously (3:11), suggesting consistent quality between the two (3:15). A lack of other strong blockbuster contenders for the 2025 Oscars (3:54). The possibility that the Academy was waiting to award Wicked: For Good (4:59) after the full saga was complete, similar to The Return of the King. However, Wicked: For Good ultimately failed to secure any nominations due to several factors: A lackluster reception from audiences and critics (7:27), with many finding it inferior to the first film (7:31). The "sequel problem" (9:35), as the Academy often overlooks sequels, especially when released only a year after the original (9:49). Strong competition in key categories (12:41), which made it difficult for Wicked: For Good to stand out. The fact that the film's strongest technical categories (Costume Design and Production Design) were already awarded to the first Wicked film (15:27). The new songs introduced in Wicked: For Good were not memorable or impactful enough (17:27) to secure an Oscar nomination. Brian concludes that while he personally enjoyed Wicked: For Good, its complete snub at the Oscars was a significant "fiasco" (19:51), especially given the first film's success. The negative reception of Wicked: For Good significantly impacted its chances in technical categories (16:37). Since the film was not as beloved as the first Wicked, it was easy for Academy branches to vote against it (16:42) and instead nominate other, more interesting films or smaller movies (16:47-16:53). For example, in the makeup category, which Wicked: For Good had a chance in, other films that most people had never heard of before received nominations (16:56-17:05). Additionally, the two technical categories Wicked: For Good had the best chance of getting nominated for—Best Costume Design and Best Production Design—were the same categories the first Wicked film had won (15:27-15:35). The Academy likely felt they had already recognized the film's achievements in those areas (15:40-15:47).