It’s been a sluggish few months for cinema owners.  The last film to open with more than $100 million at the U.S. box-office was The Fantastic Four: First Steps back in July 2025.  That depressing streak will end with the arrival of Wicked: For Good.  The original, released on the same weekend a year ago, become the highest grossing Broadway-to-film adaptation in history and earned 10 Academy Award nominations including best picture.  The hype is even bigger this time around!

The original is worth a rewatch because the sequel, directed again by Jon M. Chu (In the Heights), gets straight into the drama.  There’s no “previously on Wicked…” introduction to set the scene.  The crux of the narrative is centred on Elphaba (Erivo), who has been ostracised by the Wizard and his cronies from the Emerald City, and Galinda (Grande), the “good” witch who hates conflict and is doing all in her power to defuse the growing tension.

Wicked: For Good is another winner thanks to the impeccable casting of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the two lead roles.  They were nominated at the Oscars a year ago and there’s a strong chance they’ll be nominated again this year.  Judging from those at the Brisbane premiere who were pulling out tissues and crying openly during the final act, Erivo and Grande have created two likeable, heartfelt heroes.  Audiences are passionately invested in their fate.  The darker tone to this instalment also requires the two actors to widen their range – less laughs, more emotion.

My thumbs are up but the screenplay is messy.  There are too many subplots to wrap up in a clear, satisfying manner.  Outside of Elphaba and Galinda, every other character feels less relevant this time around.  The fate of Elphaba’s sister (Bode) and her Munchkin servant (Slater) is covered in two rushed scenes.  The themes surrounding the banished animals gets next-to-no airtime.  As the keynote villains, Madame Morrible (Yeoh) and the Wizard (Goldblum) aren’t threatening.  Oh, and the introduction of Dororthy, who we never get a clear look at, is a weird distraction.

I’m not here to diss too strongly though.  It isn’t perfect but Wicked has become a cultural phenomenon since its Broadway debut in 2003.  The music, the costumes, the production design… it adds up a wonderful big-screen experience.  The “enchanting” essence of the theatrical show has been captured across two movies which will be enjoyed by fans, both young and old, for decades to come.