Why Wicked Missed Out on Music and Song Nods at the 2025 Golden Globes

While Wicked soared high with four Golden Globe nominations this year, it hit an unexpected snag in two key musical categories. Despite its Broadway roots and musical legacy, the film adaptation of the beloved 2003 stage production did not receive nominations for either Best Original Score or Best Original Song.

The reason? The Golden Globe rules for these categories require music to be specifically written for the film. According to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), an eligible score must consist “primarily of original music written specifically for the motion picture,” and original songs must have music and lyrics crafted exclusively for the film. Since Wicked’s songs and score largely draw from Stephen Schwartz’s acclaimed Broadway compositions, they didn’t meet the criteria.

The Film’s Nominations and Star Power

Despite this limitation, Wicked remains a strong contender in other categories, including Best Picture, Musical or Comedyand Cinematic & Box Office Achievement. The film’s leads, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, also received nods for their transformative performances as Elphaba and Glinda.

Grande, who earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, shared her excitement on Instagram, writing, “Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. I am floored and honored to be recognized by the members of the @goldenglobes.” She expressed gratitude to the Wicked team, calling them her “Ozian family” and celebrating co-star Erivo’s nomination.

Erivo, who is nominated for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy, described the moment as surreal. “Now that my feet are hovering off the ground, I cannot even come close to properly expressing what this moment means to me,” she said in a statement. She also highlighted the importance of her character, Elphaba, as a symbol of empowerment for anyone who has felt like they don’t belong.

A Legacy Reimagined

Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked is the highly anticipated adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which itself is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. While the film stayed true to the original songs and score, Schwartz worked on adapting his compositions to fit the cinematic format.

However, this adherence to its Broadway roots ultimately disqualified Wicked from consideration in the original music categories. Still, fans and critics alike are celebrating the film’s recognition in other areas, praising its visual spectacle, heartfelt performances, and enduring story of friendship and self-acceptance.

The Road Ahead

As the Golden Globes telecast approaches on January 5, all eyes will be on Wicked to see if it can clinch its four nominations. While its musical contributions may not be eligible for awards this time, the film’s impact on audiences and its celebration of its Broadway legacy are undeniable.

For Erivo, Grande, and the rest of the Wicked cast and crew, the magic of Oz continues to resonate far beyond the awards stage—reminding us all that sometimes, you don’t need an award to defy gravity.