Many around the globe have been holding space these past few weeks for the phenomenon that is Wicked, the newest musical-to-film adaptation by director Jon M. Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians). With an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie was an instant smash hit with musical theatre fans and non-musical fans alike. As Letterboxd user joe states, the movie is “a cinematic experience for all.”
The film’s cast includes big stars in pop culture such as Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum, alongside actors and actresses who are making the switch from stage to screen such as Cynthia Erivo, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode. With support from Bowen Yang and Michelle Yeoh, the cast alone is enough to spark interest from anyone who has not been living under a rock for the past few years.
For those who are not aware, Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is a Broadway musical showcasing the backstory of Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (The Good Witch). The show made its Broadway debut in 2003, and has since secured its place in musical history.
Before even beginning this film, I was very hesitant because of the length. The run time is approximately two hours and 40 minutes, which is even longer than the original stage production. The issue is that Wicked only covers the first act, with Wicked For Good scheduled to release November 21, 2025. I was afraid that this movie would feel as though it was dragging on, but it did not feel that way at all. The talent, incredible script, and the attention to detail all blended together to create something extremely fun and engaging throughout the whole film.
This film also does an exceptional job in transferring the story from stage to screen while also staying extremely true to the original. With other recent movie-musical adaptations such as Mean Girls and Dear Evan Hansen not living up to the expectations of fans, Wicked was a refreshing feat of directing excellence. This movie did what the others couldn’t, stayed true to the original without trying to update the story to fit “modern” trends/technology.
Overall, Wicked is an incredible film, which can be enjoyed by the whole family. It has a good plot about discrimination, acceptance, and morals for older audiences, and bright colors, great songs, and funny quips for younger audiences. Even if musicals aren’t your cup of tea, I would recommend checking out this movie at least once.
