The land of Oz has a special place in Hollywood history, and fans everywhere got to return to that world when the musical Wicked hit the big screen as a 2024 new movie.
After debuting on Broadway in 2003, Wicked earned nine Tony Award nominations and won three of them, while its original music became a hit. Now, more than 20 years later, the Oz-set story that takes place before Dorothy ever arrived is jumping from the stage to the screen in what is sure to be one of the most anticipated 2024 new movies (and 2025 as well; we'll explain).
Here is everything you need to know about the Wicked movie.
Wicked how to watch
Wicked is now playing exclusively in movie theaters worldwide. Here are all the details you need to know on how to watch Wicked.
Also, special Wicked sing-along screenings have been announced for December 25, with tickets now available.
This will cover the first half of the popular Broadway play, as director Jon Chu opted to tell the story in two parts. Wicked Part Two is currently scheduled for November 21, 2025.
Wicked plot
Here is the official synopsis for Wicked from Universal Pictures:
"Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
"The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda's unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba's determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West."
Wicked cast
Two of the most iconic roles of the stage from the last 20 years are going to be brought to movie theaters by Cynthia Erivo, who is playing Elphaba, and Ariana Grande, playing Glinda.
Erivo is an Oscar-nominated actress for Harriet (she was also nominated for Best Original Song for the movie), as well as starring in the likes of Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, Genius, Pinocchio and Luther: The Fallen Sun. She is also a veteran of the stage, performing in shows like The Color Purple, How to Succeed at Business Without Really Trying and The Last Five Years on Broadway and in London, as well as releasing a number of solo albums.
Grande is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter who has sold more than 85 million records in her career. She has acted in a handful of TV shows and movies, most notably Hairspray Live! and Don't Look Up, but Wicked is her biggest acting role to date.
The supporting cast of Wicked is stuffed with big names as well, including recent Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum (Thor: Ragnarok) as the Wizard, Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as Fiyero, Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) as Pfannee, Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) as Miss Coddle, Brownwyn James (Lockwood & Co.) as ShenShen, Ethan Slater (Fosse/Verdon) as Boq and Marissa Bode as Nessarose, making her movie debut.
Wicked photos
Chu released the first photos from the movie, giving fans a glimpse as Erivo’s Elphaba and Grande’s Glinda:
Wicked trailer
Watch the official trailers for Wicked, featuring previews of many of the Broadway show's most iconic songs and the movie's A-list cast, right here:
Check out the previous Wicked trailer and other behind-the-scenes videos as well right here:
Wicked reviews
Find out what we thought of the movie with What to Watch's Wicked review. As far as general consensus, Wicked is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 89% as of December 4.
Wicked awards
Here's a look at the major awards and nominations that Wicked has earned so far:
Golden Globes
- Best Motion Picture Comedy/Musical (nominee)
- Best Actress Comedy/Musical — Cynthia Erivo (nominee)
- Best Supporting Actress — Ariana Grande (nominee)
- Cinematic and Box Office Achievement (nominee)
Critics Choice Awards
- Best Picture (nominee)
- Best Actress — Cynthia Erivo (nominee)
- Best Supporting Actress — Ariana Grande (nominee)
- Best Acting Ensemble (nominee)
- Best Director — Jon M. Chu (nominee)
- Best Adapted Screenplay — Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox (nominee)
- Best Cinematography (nominee)
- Best Production Design (nominee)
- Best Costume Design (nominee)
- Best Hair and Makeup (nominee)
- Best Visual Effects (nominee)
National Board of Review
- Best Film (winner)
- Best Director — Jon M. Chu (winner)
- NBR Spotlight Award — creative collaboration of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
Washington DC Film Area Critics Association
- Best Feature (winner)
- Best Production Design (winner)
Jon M. Chu movies
Director Jon M. Chu has plenty of experience with musicals, having directed Step Up 2: The Streets, Step Up 3D, the concert movie Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and In the Heights. Chu has also directed the likes of G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jem and the Holograms, Now You See Me 2 and Crazy Rich Asians.
Chu has also been a producer on many of his movies and a couple of recent high profile TV projects, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration and The Company You Keep.
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