Wicked makes a persuasive case for the movie musical through the force of its two leads and the scale of its Oz. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande give its story of an unlikely friendship an engaging center, while director Jon M. Chu treats the songs and fantasy world as reasons to go big. The result is an inviting first chapter, though its length and unfinished story make it a less complete experience than a standalone film.
What is the 2024 Wicked about?
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) at Shiz University. Their unlikely friendship—and the choices that pull them in different directions—sets them on paths toward the familiar figures of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
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The movie adapts the stage musical, with a book by Winnie Holzman and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. That musical, in turn, is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel. Maguire’s book is the start of that adaptation chain, not a film script or an exact companion to the movie. NBCUniversal’s backgrounder describes the film as the first chapter of a two-part adaptation.
Why do Erivo and Grande make the film work?
The film’s central draw is the contrast and connection between its leads. Elphaba and Glinda have different temperaments and social positions; their friendship gives the spectacle something human to orbit. Erivo and Grande’s pairing is also the element singled out in Rotten Tomatoes’ Critics Consensus, which says: “Defying gravity with its magical pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked’s sheer bravura and charm make for an irresistible invitation to Oz.”
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That is an aggregator’s consensus, not a quotation from one critic. The broader response has included praise for the cast as well as for the production design. The lavish presentation matters, but it is most persuasive when it serves the characters and their changing relationship rather than simply filling the frame with Oz.
Does Wicked feel like a movie musical?
Its scale is part of the appeal. This is a fantasy musical built to make songs, costumes and sets feel expansive rather than incidental. Chu’s screen version embraces that scale, giving the material room to play as cinematic spectacle while retaining the musical’s character-driven core.
Rank #2
The stage production’s reach helps explain why the property lends itself to such an ambitious screen treatment, though it is not a measure of the film’s quality. In a November 2024 backgrounder, NBCUniversal said the stage musical had earned more than $6 billion in global receipts and drawn 65 million attendees across 100-plus cities in 16 countries. Those are the company’s published figures for the stage show, not the movie.
Is the two-part structure satisfying?
Wicked is not designed to tell the whole story in one film. As the first installment of a two-part adaptation, it functions as an origin story and leaves the larger arc open. That structure gives the relationship and world-building space, but viewers expecting a complete, self-contained resolution should know that this chapter stops short of one.
Rank #3
Is Wicked worth watching, and how long is it?
For viewers who enjoy musicals and want a large-scale fantasy anchored by two strong leads, the performances and production ambition make the journey worthwhile. The trade-off is time: Disney+ lists the film at 2 hours 40 minutes and rates it PG. Runtime and rating are platform-listed details; ratings can vary by territory, so check the local listing.
Critical response has not been unanimous about the length and pacing. Metacritic’s page brings together praise for the cast, costumes, sets and the film’s capture of what audiences value in the stage musical, alongside reservations about how long it takes. Vulture critic Bilge Ebiri, in a review excerpt displayed on that page, called it “enchanting” but “exhausting.” That is one critic’s characterization, not a universal verdict. NBCUniversal reported an A CinemaScore and 90% critics and 97% audience scores in a January 2025 announcement; those are historical studio-reported figures, not current ratings.
Rank #4
- Wicked
Where can you watch Wicked?
Availability depends on territory and changes over time. Disney+ displayed the film in its catalog when checked, but that does not guarantee it is available in every country or remains there. Check your local Disney+ listing.
For a copy to keep, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment announced digital purchase and rental availability beginning December 31, 2024, followed by 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD editions beginning February 4, 2025. The announcement also describes a feature-length sing-along version and bonus material, including deleted and extended scenes. Some bonus features are exclusive to participating retailers, so confirm the edition and included extras with the seller before buying.
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How does the film compare with the stage musical and novel?
The film adapts the stage musical, not Maguire’s novel directly. The novel is the source behind the musical’s adaptation, while the movie’s two-part structure gives its screen version room to unfold across two chapters. Each is a different medium and treatment of the story; readers or theatergoers should not assume that the film is a scene-for-scene transfer or that its first chapter covers the full arc.
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