Many years we have waited for the Wicked movie to happen, and it was Oz-itively worth the wait. From the opening shot to the “To be continued” screen at the conclusion of the film, Wicked: Part One was an immersifying and extraordinary marvel to experience.
Whether you’re new to the world of Wicked or are a fan of the long-running Broadway musical, the Wicked movie has something for everyone. The film effectively tells a timely and universal story with beloved characters, bringing the magic of the story to life.
‘Wicked’ Movie Has Popular Performances to Praise
Casting a movie musical is no easy feat, but the cast of Wicked delivered memorable performances across the board. We’ve known how talented Cynthia Erivo is — she has an Emmy, Grammy and a Tony! — but her Elphaba soars to new heights and totally defies gravity. She’s got the vocal chops to sing the iconic songs and the instincts to portray the emotions of a dynamic and sharp Elphaba.
Glinda has been Ariana Grande’s dream role for years, and we loved seeing her dream come true! Grande may be best known as a pop star, but her Glinda not only brought her back to her Broadway roots but showed her musical range, acting abilities and comedic chops. In true Glinda fashion, everything she did seemed effortless. When portraying a complexifying character like Glinda for the silver screen, it’s vital to perfect the subtleties. Glinda is so much more than the rich, popular girl. Grande was hilarious when she needed to be but also nailed when Glinda needed to empathize and tap into deeper emotions.
If you haven’t already fallen in love with Jonathan Bailey, his Fiyero will do the trick. The royal Winkie Prince, Fiyero is the it guy. He may not be the smartest, but he is still beloved by all of his peers — and even some of the Shiz University faculty. Bailey’s Fiyero oozes charisma, charm and magnetism. He is the flirtiest Fiyero known to man! When Fiyero is on screen, Bailey has the audience’s undivided attention like Fiyero does with his classmates. Everyone either wants to be him or with him — or both. He perfects all of the qualities of Fiyero, including the ability to be vulnerable and to connect with everyone.
Boq and Nessarose’s roles aren’t as big in this first Wicked movie, but they are still key characters who were played wonderfully by Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode, respectively. We enjoyed seeing their characters have more depth than they do on stage, and we’re eager to see their performances in Wicked: Part Two. Though we don’t root for the Wizard of Oz nor — as we come to learn — Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh absolutely delivered, which is no surprise considering how iconic they are.
An In-Depth and Intertwined Thrillifying Tale
The characters and story of Wicked and The Wizard of Oz have appeared in numerous adaptations, from the stage musical to the 1939 MGM film to books and more, but the Wicked movie is the first time this particular story and these character iterations are appearing on screen. This film adaptation does an excellent job at taking these beloved characters and story and translating them for a major motion picture.
It’s important to note Wicked is just half of the story and aligns with act one of the Broadway musical, so the pacing is different. Despite this first film being as long as the entire musical, it’s paced pretty well. The film did not drag on. Musical numbers did not go on forever for no reason. Splitting the story in two allowed the connections between the characters to deepen and develop more.
This is especially true for key impactifying moments, like the Ozdust Ballroom and lion cub scene. In addition, we get more of a backstory for Elphaba and her entire family. (Young Elphaba and Young Nessarose are absolutely adorable, and the 160-minute movie is honestly worth watching just for them.) The film also lets animals to play a larger role in the story as they do in the books by Gregory Maguire. This is especially valuable because Elphaba’s appreciation of animals is a major driving force in the plot.
The Wicked movie pays homage to its origins and those who came before it. But obviously a film adaptation of a musical that’s an adaptation of a book is going to contain changes from the source materials. The easter eggs and references were clever and thoughtful, from simply including a specific word in a line to cameos from people (and things!) Some of these also served as great foreshadowing for what’s to come next year.
A Magnificentatious Masterpiece
If there’s one thing we can count on Jon M. Chu for, it’s to make a visually stunning movie. Wicked is no exception. From the practical sets, unbelievable effects and gorgeous costumes to the beautiful cinematography, the Wicked movie immersifies you in the world of Oz.
No stone is left unturned in Wicked. Every detail and choice was included and made for a reason and contributes to the worldbuilding of this fantastical land. By being very intentional and thoughtful about things like the set, costumes and framing and editing of shots, the story becomes more believable. We’re able to understand the characters and their actions more. This not only makes the Wicked movie beautiful to watch but an entire experience to take in.
Wicked is now in theaters. Wicked: Part Two is set for theatrical release Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
