London, December 09, 2025
The 2026 Golden Globes nominations announced today have introduced unexpected shifts in the anticipated awards season landscape, particularly impacting the prospects of “Wicked: For Good” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Both films faced key category snubs, altering their previously strong positioning.
Notable Snubs and Nominations
Despite being early favorites, “Wicked: For Good” encountered significant omissions from major categories. However, it secured nominations for its lead actors Cynthia and Ariana, indicating that some recognition persists for the film’s artistic talent. Similarly, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” did not perform as expected in the nominations, missing out on key competitive slots. These developments contrast sharply with the rise of other contenders such as “One Battle After Another” and “The White Lotus,” which emerged as dominant nominees, signaling a more unpredictable awards field.
Shifting Momentum in the Oscar Race
Industry analysts had marked both “Wicked” and “Avatar” as frontrunners for the coming Oscars, particularly for Best Picture. The Golden Globes results suggest a loss of momentum for these titles. With crucial snubs at the Globes, their trajectories toward Oscar success now appear less assured. Some experts have revised their outlook, ranking the films as low as 11th or 12th in the Best Picture race, a significant downgrade from their initial frontrunner status. This reshuffling indicates vulnerability and opens the door for emerging films to challenge their lead.
Broader Implications for Awards Season
The reinvigorated competition at the Golden Globes highlights a more balanced field, where previously favored films face stiffer resistance. This dynamic injects greater uncertainty into the awards narrative for business leaders, industry stakeholders, and observers tracking film market trends and cultural capital. The results reflect evolving tastes and possibly shifting strategic campaigning by studios, underscoring the complexity and volatility of the current awards ecosystem.
Going forward, the trajectory of “Wicked: For Good” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” will depend on their ability to regain ground in subsequent award events and critical receptions. Meanwhile, the rise of other nominees underscores the increasingly competitive nature of major film awards, compelling industry participants to anticipate an unpredictable Oscars season ahead.