With the unveiling of the Academy’s shortlists, we now know the final ten films in contention for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The most egregious snub would be Weapons, given how integral hair and makeup were to making Aunt Gladys such an iconic character. Does that hurt Amy Madigan’s campaign in Best Supporting Actress? Eh, not really, but it would have been a nice little boost. It was also disappointing to see 28 Years Later miss out. While those two horrors missed out, it was great to see The Ugly Stepsister take their place.
While we await the Make-up & Hair Stylists Guild nominations at the very end of 2025 on December 29, we can look to the nominations from the Critics Choice Awards, where Frankenstein, Sinners, The Smashing Machine, and Wicked: For Good scored love (their other two nominees were the aforementioned 28 Years Later and Weapons). Those feel like our solid four contenders right now, leaving the final spot open.
It could be an inspired choice like Kokuho or The Ugly Stepsister. Or something more classic like Nuremberg. Russell Crowe’s campaign never got off the ground, but they could award the work to turn him into the rather robust Hermann Göring. For the moment, I feel like the incoming One Battle After Another sweep might just get it a nod here as well.
BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING PREDICTIONS:
1. Frankenstein (Netflix) – CCA
2. Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures) – CCA
3. Sinners (Warner Bros.) – CCA
4. The Smashing Machine (A24) – CCA
5. One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
IN CONTENTION:
The Alto Knights (Warner Bros.)
Kokuho (GKIDS)
Marty Supreme (A24)
Nuremberg (Sony Pictures Classics)
The Ugly Stepsister (Shudder)