Wicked wins Two Academy Awards at the 2025 Oscars

The film adaptation of Wicked claimed two Academy Awards at last night’s ceremony in Los Angeles.

The highly anticipated movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, was among the frontrunners with ten nominations but ultimately took home awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

Paul Tazewell won the Oscar for Best Costume Design, while Nathan Crowley secured the accolade for Best Production Design, recognising their work in bringing the vibrant world of Oz to life.

Ariana Grande, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda, opened the ceremony with a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, later joining Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) for a duet of Defying Gravity, one of the musical’s most iconic numbers.

Despite its ten nominations—including Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, and Best Original Score—the film missed out on several major categories. However, its success in the design awards solidifies its reputation as a visually stunning adaptation. At the 2025 Golden Globes, the film picked up the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.

The second part of Wicked is set for release this November, continuing the story of the witches of Oz.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the film tells the story of two university friends—one destined to become Glinda the Good and the other, the Wicked Witch of the West. The screenplay was a collaborative effort between Winnie Holzman, Stephen Schwartz, and Dana Fox, adapting the beloved Broadway musical for the screen. The film, which was released in November 2024, recently overtook the movie version of West End hit Mamma Mia! to become the biggest worldwide stage musical movie adaptation of all time. The stage production of Wicked has one over 100 major international awards, and continues to play on Broadway and in the London’s West End.

Adrien Brody Wins Best Actor for The Brutalist

Elsewhere at the ceremony, Adrien Brody secured the Best Actor award for his performance in The Brutalist, a drama about a Jewish-Hungarian architect fleeing post-war Europe for a new life in the U.S. The win marks Brody’s second Academy Award, cementing his place as one of Hollywood’s most distinguished performers.

During his acceptance speech, Brody reflected on the fragility of an acting career, stating, “It looks very glamorous and at certain moments it is, but the one thing that I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective.” As the orchestra began to play him off, he continued, “I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war, systematic oppression, antisemitism, and racism. I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world.”

Brody recently made his West End debut in The Fear of 13 at the Donmar Warehouse. The sold-out production, based on the true story of Nick Yarris—wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death in the U.S.—earned critical acclaim, with five-star reviews from The Times and The Telegraph. The play, written by Lindsey Ferrentino, follows Yarris’s journey from incarceration to exoneration, a story previously documented in David Sington’s 2015 documentary.

Other wins at the 2025 Oscars include: Anora taking home five awards including best film, best director and best actress for Mikey Madison, with Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana winning Best Supporting prizes.

Book tickets to Wicked in London’s West End.