As one of the most anticipated movies of 2025, Wicked: For Good is the number one movie in the world after its box office weekend. Making $150 million domestically and $226 million globally, it is the biggest box office success for a Broadway musical adaptation, above its predecessor, Wicked. Additionally, the movie is rated 95% percent on the Popcornometer. Even before the film’s release, the trailer achieved 113 million views in 24 hours, setting a record for the franchise. Overall, it should be a given that this movie is worth watching and that it will change you for the better.
Synopsis
The movie picks up where the first film left off, with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) now named The Wicked Witch of the West, while other characters have gone their separate ways. Glinda (Ariana Grande) is the new face of Oz with Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) as her prince. Elphaba is trying to reveal to the public that the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) has no real powers, but Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) is doing everything she can to keep that a secret. Nessa Rose (Marissa Bode) is now the new governor of Munchkin Land, with Boq (Ethan Slater) close by her side. Through many hardships and plot twists, each character meets their fate, all rightfully deserved, at least in most people’s opinions.
Review
Personally, I thought the movie started very slowly. It wasn’t until about 30 to 45 minutes in that something started happening, and from then until the end, I felt like I was on the edge of my seat. The movie is two hours and 17 minutes long, so it kind of felt like the producers tried to jam-pack everything into the last half, but it was effective. There was never a dull moment, and certain scenes brought me, and lots of others, to tears.
The movie’s concluding song, “For Good,” has been people’s favorite song from the soundtrack, but I believe that “As Long As You’re Mine” has the same effect that “For Good” carries. The connection between Fiyero and Elphaba moved me, and I have been listening to that song since I saw it on opening day.
Overall, both the first and second movies are unforgettable, and their legacy will live on. It’s not every movie that you see hundreds of people leaving theaters in tears.
A Good Musical Adaptation?
Despite being almost twice as long as Act II of Wicked: The Musical, the movie is mostly faithful, even though it has many more additions than the first film did. Two original songs were added: “The Girl in the Bubble,” sung by Ariana Grande, and “No Place Like Home,” sung by Cynthia Erivo. Both songs add more of a perspective and emotion to the storyline, and fans have even been saying that both Grande and Erivo deserve Oscars for Best Original Song Written for a Film.
The ending of the movie was also altered, and instead of concluding after “For Good,” there are additional scenes that nod to the Playbill cover of the musical. The change is so slight, though, that not many non-musical lovers are picking up on it.
Dorothy (Bethany Weaver) also never shows her face to the audience. Some people criticized the movie for that, but director Jon M. Chu stated in an interview that it is not her story, which is why he decided not to show her face. He also believes that it was going to be very hard for someone to reprise Judy Garland’s role, as she was so iconic as Dorothy in the original movie, The Wizard of Oz.
Definitely Worth the Watch
The movie takes place during the timeline of when the original The Wizard of Oz takes place, so if you know anything about tornadoes, scarecrows, tin men, lions, ruby slippers, and/or buckets of water, Wicked: For Good is worth watching. It will open your eyes to what the words “good” and “evil” really mean. It says a great deal about today’s world, and people aren’t even realizing it.
Without a doubt, you will be changed for good.
