The 2025 Oscars were supposed to be a celebration of the best movies of the year, but instead, they turned into a full-blown internet war. At the center of the chaos? Wicked and Emilia Pérez—two wildly different musicals that somehow ended up competing for the same big awards. Wicked had the star power, the massive budget, and the built-in fanbase, while Emilia Pérez was an underdog that no one saw coming. But when Emilia Pérez started sweeping the awards? That’s when viewers got mad.
The Emilia Pérez Surprise
Everyone assumed Wicked would be the Oscar musical of the year. It’s a beloved Broadway classic, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and had been hyped up for years. But then Emilia Pérez, a smaller French-Mexican crime musical, came out of nowhere and stole the spotlight. It scored nominations for Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Original Song—categories where Wicked was expected to shine. Fans were confused. Many hadn’t even heard of Emilia Pérez before the Oscars, let alone expected it to challenge a Hollywood juggernaut.
But critics loved it. Emilia Pérez was praised for its daring mix of crime drama and musical storytelling, plus its powerful message about identity and redemption. While Wicked was fun and nostalgic, Emilia Pérez was bold and unexpected. That’s exactly why some people thought it deserved the awards… while others were furious that it “stole” them.
Was Wicked Unfairly Ignored?
From the moment the nominations were announced, Wicked fans felt something was off. It had everything going for it—a legendary story, a dream cast, and incredible music. So why did it walk away with only a couple of technical wins, like Best Production Design and Best Sound? Many felt it was a major snub, especially when Emilia Pérez (a much smaller film) was getting so much attention.
Some people think the problem was that Wicked is only half a movie—since it’s being split into two parts, maybe the Academy was waiting for Part Two before giving it major awards. Others believe the Oscars just wanted to reward something unexpected rather than a big, mainstream blockbuster. Either way, Wicked fans weren’t happy.
Popularity vs. Art: Who Should Really Win?
At the end of the day, this whole controversy comes down to a classic Oscars question: should awards go to the movie that’s the biggest and most popular, or the one that takes the biggest creative risks?
Wicked was the movie everyone knew and loved. It had the nostalgia factor, the Hollywood magic, and the kind of epic musical numbers that make the Oscars feel like, well, the Oscars. Emilia Pérez, on the other hand, was something new. It pushed boundaries, mixed genres, and told a story in a way that surprised people.
So, did the Academy make the right choice? It depends on who you ask. Some people feel Emilia Pérez earned every win. Others will never forgive the Oscars for snubbing Wicked. But one thing is for sure—the 2025 Oscars will go down in history as one of the most debated, dramatic, and downright unforgettable awards shows ever.
