Review: 'Wicked For Good' not just great, it's wonderful

Universal Pictures, 2025.

The sequel and final chapter to one of the best films of 2024, "Wicked For Good" sticks the landing in a truly wondrous way. Anyone who cannot get swept up in this magical, fast-paced adventure may be missing the brains and heart...or worse, the courage...to admit that this is one of the most impressive musical-to-film adaptations - across two movies - that has ever been put on screen.

In truth, most of the criticism aimed at "Wicked For Good" is really criticism of the source material. If you walked out of the stage production feeling Act II was the weaker half, you will likely leave this movie with the same thought.

But most moviegoers don’t speak in those terms. Nobody is stepping into the lobby asking, "So what did you think of the Second Act?" They leave with a feeling, an instinctive reaction to whether the film moved them or not. And for the vast majority, "Wicked For Good" will deliver that feeling in full, giving fans everything they hope for while also offering newcomers who only know the first film and have never seen the musical a truly wonderful time.

Grade: A

"Wicked For Good" is the heart-pounding, emotional payoff to the impressive but overlong first film. It picks up years after the events of "Wicked," where outcast Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) - now labeled "The Wicked Witch of the West" by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) - is on the run. Glinda (Ariana Grande) has become a polished spokesperson for all that is good, and the figurehead of The Wizard's propaganda machine. Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) is preparing to marry Glinda, although his new role as head of the Ozian Army has him hunting his true love, Elphaba. Elphaba's sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode) now holds political power, with Munchkin Boq (Ethan Slater) still loyal by her side, despite his lingering devotion to Glinda.

A wicked scheme by Madame Morrible to capture Elphaba once and for all sets a chain of events in motion that will eventually lead us to "The Wizard of Oz." To spoil anything further would be to drain the fun from all that "Wicked For Good" has in store.

With the characters already established, this chapter whizzes by, slowing down only when an emotional beat demands it. Erivo and Grande have superb chemistry and deliver award-worthy performances, just as they did last year. The climactic duet of "For Good" is a highlight of the entire two-film saga, and had me nearly in tears as it brings these two characters face-to-face, crystalizing the story's themes of friendship and choice.

There is simply nothing more than can be asked of director Jon M. Chu or the outstanding ensemble he's assembled. A film adaptation of "Wicked" had been discussed for years, and now that it is here, it is difficult to imagine a version that could be more genuine, more ambitious, or more in tune with what fans hoped for.

The audience score (currently at 97%) throws water on the idea that "Wicked For Good" is anything less than a triumph, even as critics on RottenTomatoes currently have the film just above 70% Fresh. This is especially surprising considering the overwhelmingly positive critical response to last year's "Wicked." Regardless, "Wicked For Good" is a lovely film with spectacular visuals and fantastic performances. It's a movie meant for the big-screen, and one of the few recent releases that truly adds color to an otherwise black & white theatrical landscape.

More than anything, "Wicked For Good" carries the cinematic spirit of "The Wizard of Oz," proving more than 85 years later that the magic of Oz still works. It's a reminder that movies are meant to be felt, believed in, and embraced with wonder...even if some will always be tempted to peek behind the curtain.​

Grade: A

Genre: Musical, Fantasy, Family.
Run Time: 2 hours 18 minutes.
Rated PG.

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James.

Directed by Jon M. Chu ("Wicked," "In the Heights," "Crazy Rich Asians," "Now You See Me 2," "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," "Step Up 3D").

"Wicked: For Good" is in theaters everywhere on Friday, November 21st, 2025.