Musicals beingnominated for Best Pictureare few and far between, but this year we’ve got two of them to root for —WickedandEmilia Perez. While the former is a traditional Broadway musical adaptation, the latter blends the crime and thriller genres with a musical flair. They’re both distinct, but if they’re both nominated for Best Picture — and they’re both likely to — either one will take home the coveted award or they both go home without it.
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Of the two films,Emilia Pérezcurrently has the lower score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 79% fresh rating (based on 187 reviews), whileWickedhas a 90% fresh rating (based on 185 reviews). The score aside,Emilia Pérezplays to the drama Academy voters are used to seeing in awards movies;Wicked, on the other hand, leans into the spectacle. The former might be pushed out of the limelight, but that’s yet to be seen. We should be lucky that two musicals are in contention for Best Picture at all.
Wicked & Emilia Pérez Stand Out From Other Best Picture Hopefuls
Whatever issues you may or may not have with either film,WickedandEmilia Pérezstand apart from the rest of the Oscar contenders.Wickedis not only a beloved stage musical, but it’s primed to be a big box-office hitas well. The spectacle, the staging of the musical numbers, and the cast have been highly praised in variousWickedreviewsand by audiences. It’s a musical about friendship, being inspired by others and doing what’s right. With the incorporation of strong songs, costumes, and visuals,Wickedis one of the more memorable films in the Oscars race.
Emilia Pérezwas released on Netflix on November 13, whileWickedis now playing in theaters nationwide.
Right out the gate,Emilia Pérezproves itself a unique film. It’s acrime/thriller/musical that bounces between genre-blending and song styles. To be sure, it’s not at all what I expected when I first saw it. That might be enough to keep itz buzz going, as other Best Picture hopefuls are more straightforward dramas and are not as unexpected — perhaps save forConclave— asEmilia Pérez. It’s got three strong actresses at the center of the story and, though it’s been criticized for being somewhat empty thematically, has a lot of flair and genre-defying beats.
Emilia Perez
Cast
Emilia Perez is a drama film that follows the life of Emilia Perez, a determined and ambitious individual striving to make a name for herself in a competitive environment. The story explores her journey as she navigates the challenges and obstacles that come her way, all while uncovering the complexities of her own identity.
One of the only reasons I thinkWickedmight struggle a bit with Academy voters is due to it being a two-part movie. The film, much likeDune, isn’t being marketed as a two-part movie at all. It’s simply justWicked— on the poster, trailers, and other marketing materials — and yet Part Two is coming in November 2025.That leaves its story unfinishedand, despite the musical ending with the showstopping song, “Defying Gravity,” which concludes Act I (onstage and in theaters), the movie as a whole will be incomplete. That might affect howWickedfares.
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Emilia Pérez, on the other hand, had strong reactions early on at film festivals like Cannes. It has since played at a variety of other festivals, with Zoe Saldaña being a top contender for Best Supporting Actress. The early buzz really seemed like it would take the crime musical over the finish line, but the film is a bit hindered by being at Netflix. The streamer has had a plethora of movies nominated for Oscars over the last several years, including Best Picture, but it hasn’t yet managed to claim the most sought-after prize of the ceremony.
With the incorporation of strong songs, costumes, and visuals,Wickedis one of the more memorable films in the Oscars race.
There’s also the fact thatEmilia Pérezhas faced criticism and backlash, especially regarding the trans representation of its main character and the usage of certain tropes. That could potentially drive down the Netflix film’s popularity over time, enough to lose out on its chances of winning Best Picture.The musicals could be beaten out byConclaveandAnora, both of which are incredibly strong contenders and whose buzz has only been building all the more. As it stands,Emilia Pérezmay have a better shot at winning simply because it’s a crime thriller, butWickedmay surprise us all.
Wicked
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
