Grammy Nominations 2026: Wicked and Sinners Score Big in Film Music Categories

The 68th annual Grammy Awards recently unveiled their full list of nominees, bringing exciting news for movie fans as "Wicked" and Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" snagged some major nods in the visual media music categories.

TL;DR: Quick Bites on the Grammy News

• • The 68th Grammy Awards initially left out some key credits for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media but filled in the gaps on November 11th.
• • Ryan Coogler's film "Sinners" earned multiple nominations, including for the compilation soundtrack and a rare three nods in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category.
• • "Wicked" stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande celebrated shared nominations for "Defying Gravity" and individual nods, pushing their career Grammy totals even higher.

Imagine the scene: you're at a press event in Paris, surrounded by your co-stars and director, promoting one of the most anticipated films of the year. Suddenly, the news drops — you and your colleague are Grammy-nominated for one of the movie's biggest songs. That's exactly what happened to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for their show-stopping rendition of "Defying Gravity" from the upcoming "Wicked" movie. Their raw, emotional reactions, captured live, perfectly highlight the thrill that these prestigious nominations bring to the film world.

The Recording Academy's initial announcement for the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Friday, November 7th, created a buzz, but some details were notably scarce, especially in the Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media category. Timothée Chalamet was initially the only individual named for his work on "A Complete Unknown." However, the Academy cleared things up on Tuesday, November 11th, revealing the full list of compilation producers and other key contributors.

Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' Makes a Powerful Statement with Multiple Grammy Nominations

Director Ryan Coogler, known for his impactful filmmaking, has truly outdone himself with "Sinners." The film has garnered significant attention, not just for its anticipated cinematic release but now for its musical achievements. Coogler landed his third career Grammy nomination as one of the compilation producers for the "Sinners" soundtrack, sharing the honor with Ludwig Göransson and Serena Göransson. Source: [Billboard, Grammy Nominations 2026: See the Complete List, November 11, 2025].

But the soundtrack's success doesn't stop there. "Sinners" achieved a rare feat, with three of its songs — "I Lied to You," "Pale, Pale Moon," and the title track "Sinners" — all nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media. This makes "Sinners" only the third film since the category's introduction in 1988 to have three or more nominees, joining an exclusive club with "Waiting To Exhale" (1997) and "Barbie" (two years ago).

This recognition solidifies Coogler's consistent presence in the awards circuit, following his previous Grammy nods for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (Best Compilation Soundtrack) and "Lift Me Up" (Best Song Written for Visual Media), which he co-wrote. He also has two Oscar nominations to his name, for producing "Judas and the Black Messiah" and for "Lift Me Up," and is very likely to receive Oscar nods for "Sinners" as well, a film he directed, wrote, and co-produced.

Ludwig Göransson, a frequent collaborator with Coogler, also saw his nomination count soar, reaching an impressive five nods this year alone, all tied to his work on "Sinners." These include two for Best Song Written for Visual Media, Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, and Best Instrumental Composition for "Why You Here / Before the Sun Went Down." This brings his career Grammy nominations to a remarkable 20. It’s also a special moment for Serena Göransson, who received her first-ever Grammy nod for her role as a compilation producer on "Sinners."

'Wicked' Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's Emotional Grammy Moment

The magic of "Wicked" is already captivating audiences, even before its full release. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who portray Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, were at a "Wicked: For Good" press event in Paris when they learned of their joint nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their soaring duet, "Defying Gravity."

Example Scenario: Picture the room: cheers erupted, tears flowed freely. Director Jon M. Chu joined in their excitement as the news unfolded. Erivo later shared a video of the heartfelt moment on Instagram, capturing the pure elation. She perfectly summed up her feelings, saying, "I don't really have any words. These last couple of years have been beyond the dream, and I'm just really grateful. Thank you." This glimpse into their genuine reactions highlights the personal impact these professional recognitions have.

"I don't really have any words. These last couple of years have been beyond the dream, and I'm just really grateful. Thank you."

— Cynthia Erivo, sharing her emotions on Instagram after receiving Grammy nominations

Beyond their joint nod, Erivo received an additional individual nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Cappella for "Be Okay," a track from her second studio album, "I Forgive You." This brings her career Grammy nominations to five, including a previous win for Best Musical Theater Album for "The Color Purple (New Broadway Cast Recording)" in 2017. With her growing list of accolades, Erivo is just an Academy Award win away from achieving EGOT status.

Ariana Grande's Grammy track record is already extensive, and this nomination for "Defying Gravity" brings her career total to an impressive 20 nominations. While she has two previous wins — Best Pop Vocal Album for "Sweetener" in 2019 and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Rain on Me" with Lady Gaga in 2021 — this new nod further solidifies her standing in the music industry. Source: [Out.com, Watch Wicked's Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande react to Grammy noms in emotional videos, November 8, 2025].

Stephen Schwartz, a vital force behind "Wicked," also received nominations for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (along with Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and the movie cast), Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, and Best Instrumental Composition for "Train to Emerald City." These additions raise his career Grammy tally to 18.

Navigating the Highly Competitive Grammy Categories

It’s important to remember that while nominations are a huge honor, the competition is fierce. The Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, where "Defying Gravity" is nominated, is particularly stacked this year. They are up against "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters," "Gabriela" by KATSEYE, "Apt." by Rosé and Bruno Mars, and "30 for 30" by SZA and Kendrick Lamar. Despite the popularity and power of "Defying Gravity," securing a win will be a significant challenge.

Furthermore, an artist's impressive number of career nominations doesn't always guarantee a shelf full of trophies. For instance, Ariana Grande, with her 20 career Grammy nominations, has won two, showcasing that even highly acclaimed artists face tough competition and that a nomination itself is a testament to exceptional work.

The Recording Academy's process for announcing nominations, particularly for compilation soundtracks, involves careful research to determine eligibility after the initial list is revealed. This ensures that all deserving individuals who contributed to these complex projects are properly credited. Source: [ABC Audio, Grammy nominations were announced Nov. 7, but now the Recording Academy has amended its initial list of nominees to add additional people — including Ariana Grande., November 11, 2025].

Anticipating the Big Night and Future Oscar Buzz

Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, having received Oscar nominations for their roles in "Wicked," may also receive additional Oscar nods for "Wicked: For Good." If this happens, they would join a very short list of actors who have received two Oscar nominations for playing the same character in different films. This potential achievement underscores the extraordinary impact their performances are making.

The 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It promises to be a star-studded event celebrating the best in music across all genres, including the increasingly vital role of music in visual media.

Practical Takeaways for Film & Music Enthusiasts:

• • Mark your calendars for the 68th Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, to see if your favorite film soundtracks and songs take home the gold.
• • Keep an eye on "Sinners" as a potential awards contender, not just for its music but for Ryan Coogler's directorial and writing efforts.
• • Prepare for the release of "Wicked: For Good" on November 21, 2025, to experience the nominated "Defying Gravity" and other musical numbers on the big screen.
• • Follow the awards season closely to see if Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande make history with potential additional Oscar nominations for their roles in "Wicked."

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Grammy Nominations

Q: When are the 68th Grammy Awards happening?A: The 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be presented on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Q: When can I see Wicked: For Good in theaters?A: Wicked: For Good, the second part of the film, is set to open in theaters on Friday, November 21, 2025.

Q: What makes Ryan Coogler's Sinners nominations so special?A: Sinners is notably special for having three songs nominated in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category, a feat achieved by only two other films since 1988: Waiting To Exhale and Barbie.

Q: How many Grammys have Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande won before?A: Cynthia Erivo has won one Grammy Award (for The Color Purple), out of five career nominations. Ariana Grande has won two Grammy Awards (for Sweetener and "Rain on Me"), out of 20 career nominations.

Sources:

• Billboard, "Grammy Nominations 2026: See the Complete List", November 11, 2025.
• Out.com, "Watch Wicked's Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande react to Grammy noms in emotional videos", Bernardo Sim, November 8, 2025.
• ABC Audio, "Grammy nominations were announced Nov. 7, but now the Recording Academy has amended its initial list of nominees to add additional people — including Ariana Grande.", November 11, 2025.