Something magical is happening in cinemas right now. And it’s not just the story of a green skinned girl learning to fly.
Wicked, the massively ambitious two part adaptation of Broadway’s fourth longest running show, has accomplished what seemed impossible just months ago. It made critics fall in love with movie musicals again. It turned skeptics into believers. It proved that audiences will still show up for three hour spectacles if the craft is there.
The numbers tell one story. A 90% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics. A staggering 97% audience rating. $759 million at the global box office on a $150 million budget. The highest grossing musical film adaptation ever. The biggest November opening of all time.
But the reviews tell a deeper story. One about two actresses delivering career defining work. A director orchestrating technical wizardry that shouldn’t be possible. A creative team that looked at a beloved stage show and somehow made it even better on screen.
When critics use words like “enchanting,” “dazzling,” “irresistible,” and “thrillifying” in their consensus, something extraordinary is happening. When respected publications compare performances to legendary Broadway turns, history is being made.
This isn’t just a successful movie. This is a cultural event that’s redefining what movie musicals can achieve in 2024. Share this with every theater kid you know because their validation just arrived in the form of universal critical acclaim.
The Rotten Tomatoes Score That Shocked Everyone
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Or rather, the flying witch.
Wicked earned Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes with 90% from 258 critics averaging 7.9 out of 10. For a nearly three hour musical that’s part one of a two film saga, that’s not just good. That’s borderline miraculous.
The critics consensus reads: “With its enchanting duo Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked’s dazzling charm and audacity create an irresistible gateway to the Land of Oz.”
Enchanting. Dazzling. Irresistible. These aren’t words critics throw around lightly for blockbuster adaptations. They’re earned through consistent excellence across every department.
The audience score tells an even more striking story. 97% from verified buyers with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 10,000 reviews. That’s nearly unanimous approval from people who actually paid money to see it.
When the critic and audience scores align this closely on a big budget musical, it signals something rare. A film that satisfies both artistic standards and crowd pleasing entertainment. A movie that works as cinema while honoring its theatrical roots.
Metacritic, which aggregates reviews differently, scored it 73 based on 59 critics. That “generally favorable” rating translates to broad approval with occasional reservations about runtime and pacing. But even mixed reviews acknowledge the film’s technical achievements and performances.
For comparison, the highest grossing musical film before Wicked was Frozen II at $1.45 billion. But that’s animation. Among live action movie musicals, Wicked is now the undisputed champion both critically and commercially.
Cynthia Erivo Is Giving The Performance Of The Year
Every single review mentions Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba. Every. Single. One.
And they’re not just mentioning her. They’re running out of superlatives.
David Rooney at The Hollywood Reporter wrote: “Make no mistake, Erivo remains a powerhouse, with pipes that shake the heavens and a wellspring of unforced emotional intensity that never runs dry.”
Pipes that shake the heavens. That’s not hyperbole when you’ve seen her perform Defying Gravity. The note she holds at the climax of that song physically reverberates through theater walls. Audiences report getting actual chills.
Christy Lemire at RogerEbert.com praised how “Erivo continues to create Elphaba as righteously determined to expose the Wizard’s fakery and also hurt at the way she has been vilified.”
That’s the key to why this performance works. Erivo doesn’t play Elphaba as a victim or a villain. She plays her as a woman with agency making difficult choices while carrying the weight of society’s rejection. There’s rage, yes. But also humor, vulnerability, and fierce intelligence.
The transformation scene where Elphaba’s skin turns green is a masterclass in physical acting. Without dialogue, Erivo conveys terror, confusion, and eventually defiant acceptance. It’s the kind of moment that separates good performances from great ones.
Her chemistry with Ariana Grande elevates both performances. The friendship feels earned rather than manufactured. When they sing together, it’s not two vocalists competing. It’s two friends finding harmony in both music and life.
Critics are already predicting Oscar nominations. Multiple reviews specifically mention Best Actress potential. For a musical performance to generate that level of awards buzz speaks to how completely Erivo inhabits this role.
Don’t miss what critics are saying about Ariana Grande’s surprising dramatic depth next.
Ariana Grande Just Became A Serious Actress
Here’s what nobody expected. Ariana Grande, pop superstar with zero dramatic film credits, walks into a major motion picture opposite a Tony and Grammy winner and completely holds her own.
Peter Debruge at Variety noted: “Whereas Grande had a relatively one dimensional role to play in Part 1, Glinda now faces a complex evolution, showing fragility in the new song ‘The Girl in the Bubble’ and something far more nuanced than simple anger.”
Wait. Part 1? That review is for For Good, the sequel. Let’s focus on what critics said about her work in the first film.
David Rooney praised how “Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature…her quiet moments of introspection, anxiety or sadness show tender depths.”
That’s the revelation. Grande doesn’t play Glinda as simple comic relief. She finds layers in a character that could easily be one note. The superficial popularity obsessed girl gradually reveals insecurity, ambition, and genuine care beneath the bubbly exterior.
Her vocal performance is predictably flawless. This is Ariana Grande. She can sing anything. But critics specifically praised how she modulates her voice for character rather than showcasing technical skill. When Glinda sings Popular, it’s funny and charming rather than a vocal gymnastics routine.
The physical comedy works because Grande commits fully. She doesn’t wink at the camera or play it safe. When Glinda does something ridiculous, Grande goes all in on the absurdity. That fearlessness makes the character endearing rather than annoying.
Multiple reviews mention her chemistry with Cynthia Erivo as the film’s emotional core. The friendship story works because both actresses sell it completely. When they harmonize on For Good, audiences reportedly sob.
Grande’s dramatic work here positions her for a different career trajectory. This isn’t a pop star doing a movie. This is an actress who happens to also be a phenomenal singer. The distinction matters.
Jon M. Chu Pulled Off The Impossible
Let’s talk about the man behind the magic. Director Jon M. Chu had an absurdly difficult job.
Take a beloved Broadway musical that’s been running for over 20 years. Split it into two films. Expand the runtime to nearly three hours for part one. Add new material. Update the story for modern sensibilities. Make it visually spectacular enough to justify theatrical viewing. Don’t alienate theater purists. Appeal to people who’ve never seen the show.
Oh, and make it actually good.
Chu did all of that. And critics noticed.
Christy Lemire wrote: “Chu is uniquely adept at presenting an enormous song and dance extravaganza without getting lost in it.”
That’s the skill. Wicked features massive production numbers with hundreds of extras, elaborate choreography, and complex camera movements. Lesser directors would drown in spectacle. Chu uses it to enhance emotion and character.
The Defying Gravity sequence is already legendary. Erivo singing while actually suspended in the air, not on wires but on a mechanically controlled platform, with the camera swooping around her in continuous takes. It’s technically extraordinary but serves the story’s climactic moment.
Chu previously directed Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, proving he can handle ensemble casts and cultural specificity. With Wicked, he graduates to pure blockbuster filmmaking without losing his character focused sensibility.
Critics specifically praised his restraint. The film could easily indulge in empty spectacle. Instead, Chu keeps the focus on Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship even during the biggest production numbers.
The decision to split the story into two films, originally controversial, now seems justified. Part one ends at the perfect moment, Defying Gravity bringing down the curtain on a complete narrative arc while setting up the sequel.
Time magazine went further, suggesting Chu is becoming Hollywood royalty. He won Best Director at multiple awards including the Critics Choice Movie Awards for the first film. More nominations are inevitable.
The Technical Wizardry Everyone’s Talking About
Wicked isn’t just well acted and directed. It’s a technical marvel that critics can’t stop dissecting.
Nathan Crowley’s production design creates a version of Oz that feels both fantastical and grounded. Shiz University looks like an actual school with history rather than a soundstage. The Emerald City combines practical sets with visual effects seamlessly.
Paul Tazewell’s costume design earned specific praise. Glinda’s wardrobe progression from understated to increasingly elaborate mirrors her character development. Elphaba’s transformation is marked by costume changes that feel organic rather than costume department showcases.
The cinematography by Alice Brooks captures both intimate character moments and sweeping landscapes. Critics noted how the visual style shifts between grounded realism during dialogue scenes and heightened theatricality during musical numbers.
But here’s what’s revolutionary. Chu shot musical numbers with live singing. Not every take, but enough that actors could perform songs in real time rather than lip syncing to pre recorded tracks. This gives the performances spontaneity and emotional authenticity that traditional musical film production loses.
The visual effects work is apparently seamless. Multiple reviews mention not being able to distinguish practical sets from digital enhancements. That’s the highest compliment in visual effects work becoming invisible in service of story.
Share this with anyone who thinks musicals can’t be technically ambitious. Wicked just raised the bar.
The Box Office Numbers That Changed Everything
Let’s talk money because Hollywood does.
Wicked opened with $112.5 million domestically over its first three days. That’s not just good for a musical. That’s the biggest November opening of all time. It beat Frozen II’s previous record.
The film ultimately grossed $759 million worldwide against a $150 million budget. That’s over five times the production cost. In Hollywood math, that’s a monster hit.
More importantly, it proved audiences will show up for movie musicals if they’re done right. The genre has struggled for years with inconsistent results. For every La La Land or The Greatest Showman, there’s a Cats or Dear Evan Hansen that bombs critically and commercially.
Wicked demonstrates that Broadway adaptations can work if filmmakers respect the source material while expanding it cinematically. The key is hiring actual talent who understand both theater and film rather than treating stage musicals as lesser art to be fixed.
The success also vindicated Universal’s decision to split the story into two parts. Fans initially complained about the cash grab. But Part 1’s reception suggests the creative team needed that space to tell the story properly. And the box office proved audiences don’t mind returning for more.
Part 2, titled Wicked: For Good, releases November 2025. Early reviews suggest it’s darker and more emotionally complex than the first film. The same critics who praised Part 1 are now discussing how the sequel completes the narrative in satisfying ways.
If For Good matches or exceeds the original’s performance, Wicked will stand as one of the most successful musical adaptations in cinema history. Not just financially. Artistically.
What The Mixed Reviews Actually Say
Not every critic loves Wicked unconditionally. Let’s be honest about the criticisms.
Some reviews mention pacing issues. Nearly three hours is a long sit, especially when the narrative is essentially one act of a two act story. Certain sequences feel extended beyond their narrative purpose.
The visual effects drew occasional criticism for looking too polished or artificial. Some reviewers wanted a grittier, more grounded Oz rather than the heightened fantasy aesthetic Chu chose.
A few critics questioned whether splitting the story was necessary or a cynical commercial decision. The ending leaves audiences hanging, which works theatrically but frustrates some as a film experience.
The new material added beyond the stage show received mixed reactions. Some felt it enhanced character development. Others thought it padded runtime unnecessarily.
But here’s what’s notable. Even mixed reviews acknowledge the performances, music, and technical craft. The criticisms are about creative choices, not execution. That’s a huge distinction.
IndieWire gave it a B grade, calling it “a needlessly two part movie musical adaptation” while admitting “stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are excellent.” That’s a criticism of structure, not quality.
Screen Daily said the sequel “fails to hit the high notes” but praised Cynthia Erivo for sparkling throughout. Again, narrative complaints rather than performance issues.
When the worst critics can say is “it’s too long” or “the ending is a cliffhanger,” that’s actually high praise. The fundamentals work. The quibbles are about presentation.
The Cultural Impact Beyond Reviews
Wicked’s success extends beyond critical praise and box office records.
The film sparked renewed interest in the Broadway show. Productions worldwide report increased ticket sales. Young people who discovered the story through film are now buying theater tickets. That cross pollination benefits the entire industry.
Cosplay and fan art exploded online. Elphaba and Glinda costumes dominated Halloween 2024. Social media filled with covers of Defying Gravity and Popular. The film created a participatory culture around the property.
The cast’s awards campaign became its own cultural event. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande appeared on every talk show, did joint interviews, and showcased genuine friendship that reinforced the film’s themes. Their chemistry off screen enhanced appreciation for their on screen work.
The Oscars 2025 featured both stars performing a medley including Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Home from The Wiz, and Defying Gravity. Critics called it one of the ceremony’s highlights, proving the film’s songs translate beyond the movie itself.
Music streaming numbers for the soundtrack broke records. Defying Gravity returned to charts. New generations discovered Stephen Schwartz’s compositions. The cultural footprint extends far beyond people who’ve seen the movie.
What Part 2 Reviews Reveal About The Complete Story
Early reviews for Wicked: For Good, the concluding chapter, suggest the two part structure pays off.
Critics note the sequel is darker and more emotionally complex. The stakes increase. Character arcs complete in satisfying ways. The new songs, particularly The Girl in the Bubble for Glinda, give both lead actresses showcase moments.
Peter Debruge at Variety specifically mentioned how Part 2 fixes common complaints about the stage show’s second act, giving Elphaba and Glinda more scenes together. That addresses criticism that they spend too much time separated.
The finale apparently delivers emotional gut punches. Multiple reviewers mentioned crying. The resolution of the friendship story and how it ties into Wizard of Oz mythology satisfies both newcomers and longtime fans.
Rotten Tomatoes scores for For Good sit around 74% as of early reviews, lower than the first film but still positive. The consensus seems to be it’s a worthy conclusion that doesn’t quite reach the first film’s heights but completes the story honorably.
That’s exactly what a good sequel should do. Deepen the themes, challenge the characters, and stick the landing. Early indicators suggest For Good accomplishes all three.
Drop a comment: Have you seen Wicked yet? Does it live up to the hype? Are you planning to see Part 2 when it releases? Share this with your musical theater obsessed friends who won’t stop singing Defying Gravity.
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When a movie musical earns 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, makes three quarters of a billion dollars, and gets people genuinely excited about the genre again, something special happened. Wicked didn’t just defy gravity. It defied every expectation about what modern musicals could achieve. And the best part? The story isn’t over yet.
