Could Wicked Win Best Picture at the Oscars 2025?
Could Wicked Win Best Picture at the Oscars 2025?
Many questioned if the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked would be a roaring success or a huge failure.
However, it has received glowing reviews from audiences and top critics since its release. Also, it generated a more than healthy $164.2 million internationally, earning $114 million in the US alone, and it’s yet to open in many countries.
As a result, it is the biggest opening in movie history for a Broadway movie adaptation, exceeding Les Miserables’ opening weekend of $103 million in 2012.
Also, the story, direction, cinematography, soundtrack, and stellar performances could help the flick receive a nomination for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards.
While the annual ceremony seldom chooses blockbusters as the winner, many believe the Academy might make an exception for Wicked.
So, could Wicked win Best Picture at the Oscars 2025? Read on for more details.
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Could a Blockbuster Win Best Picture?
Movies with a toy line rarely take home the Best Picture Award. The last film to do so was The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2004, winning 11 awards, including the sought-after statue.
Many successful blockbusters have struggled in the category despite enjoying phenomenal success at the box office and much critical acclaim. Black Panther, Avatar, Star Wars, and Harry Potter are prime examples.
Wicked’s glowing reviews and ticket sales cannot be ignored. However, any movie with a toy line might be deemed too childish or commercial for the prestigious award show, meaning it could be overlooked for the accolade and even a nomination.
What Does the Academy Think of Wicked?
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Academy loves Wicked. It is believed capacity crowds at the PGA, SAG, and Directors Guild in New York and Los Angeles loudly applauded its songs and gave the film a standing ovation as the credits rolled.
Guild members often provide standing ovations to movies they love, as they did the same for Oppenheimer in 2023.
Also, Oppenheimer might have made it easier for Wicked to follow in its footsteps and take home Best Picture.
After all, the Christopher Nolan flick earned more than a billion dollars at the box office, suggesting the Academy isn’t against a blockbuster receiving the award.
However, its lack of color and heavy subject matter likely matched the prestige of the Oscars.
Some may believe Wicked lacks the seriousness of other movies likely to earn a nomination, such as The Brutalist and Sing Sing; however, it does check the boxes for political themes, discrimination, and dark material.
The Preferential Voting System
The preferential voting system determines who wins Best Picture at the Oscars, as voters must rank various films, resulting in the movie with the broadest consensus taking home the main award of the night.
Wicked’s commercial appeal and marketing power could be divisive among voters, helping a smaller, weightier film to receive Best Picture.
Also, as Wicked is split into two parts, with Part Two dropping next year, many voters might be hesitant to rank it highest. They might prefer to watch both flicks to view director Jon M. Chu’s complete vision before granting the award.
It’s what happened in The Lord of the Rings series, as the three chapters received a nomination for Best Picture, but only the final film secured the award.