- These musical productions have garnered significant Oscar victories.
Musical flicks are set to shine at the 2025 Oscars, with Emilia Pérez and Wicked leading the charge. Musicals have a rich history of success at the Academy Awards, with predecessors like West Side Story setting the stage for future triumphs.
Emilia Pérez, a Spanish-language musical thriller, is eyeing a grand total of 13 awards, while Wicked, the adaptation of Wicked - The Witches of Oz, is gunning for 10 golden statues. Both films are in elite company, joining the ranks of eleven musicals that have been nominated over ten times. Among these elite musicians, ten have actually taken home the Best Film award, with West Side Story (1961) being one of them.
Emilia Pérez's Record-Breaking Run
Emilia Pérez narrowly missed becoming one of the most Oscar-nominated films in history. Sharing the title with All About Eve (1950), Titanic (1997), and La La Land (2016), the film directed by Jacques Audiard and starring Karla Sofía Gascón continues to make history. Despite facing criticism over controversial statements, Gascón is in the running for Best Actress, while Zoe Saldana is a contender for Best Supporting Actress.
Wicked's Live-Singing Appeal
Wicked, with its star-studded cast featuring Halle Berry's favorite film of 2024, has also impressed at the Academy Awards. The film, which boasts the vocal talents of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, earned widespread acclaim for its live singing, even during demanding aerial scenes.
West Side Story's Unmatched Success
West Side Story (1961) remains the musical with the most Oscars, taking home a total of 10 awards. Although it fell short in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, the musical's win in every other category cemented its place in history as an international success. From Best Director to Best Picture, this iconic film collected prestigious accolades justly.
Musical Films with Oscar pedigree
- La La Land (2016) currently holds the record for the most Oscar nominations for a musical film with 14 nods. It managed to take home six awards.
- The Sound of Music (1965) and Doctor Zhivago (1965) were both Oscar heavyweights with 10 nominations each. Both films ultimately took home 5 awards.
- Chicago (2002), starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger, boasted a star-studded cast and earned 13 Oscar nominations, winning 6, including Best Picture.
In conclusion, musical films have a rich history of Oscar success, with numerous examples of groundbreaking achievements. Keep your fingers crossed for Emilia Pérez, Wicked, and the other musical contenders in the upcoming 2025 ceremony!
What categories is Zoe Saldana nominated for in Emilia Pérez's Oscar campaign?Emilia Pérez's film, with its "Spanish-language musical thriller" genre, is trying to break the record for the most Oscar nominations for a musical.Were musicals successful at the Oscars before West Side Story (1961) set a new standard?
