Wicked: For Good (dir. Jon M. Chu)

by Jack Martin | Nov 21, 2025

Certificate: PG

Running Time: 137 mins

UK Distributor: Universal Pictures

UK Release Date: 21 November 2025

WHO’S IN WICKED: FOR GOOD?

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Sharon D. Clarke, Colman Domingo, Keala Settle, Adam James, Alice Fearn, Scarlett Spears

WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?

Jon M. Chu (director), Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman (writers), Marc Platt and David Stone (producers), John Powell and Stephen Schwartz (composers), Alice Brooks (cinematographer), Myron Kerstein (editor)

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) find themselves on different paths in the land of Oz…

WHAT ARE MY THOUGHTS ON WICKED: FOR GOOD?

Many of the best sequels don’t necessarily go bigger, but rather deeper. Follow-ups like The Godfather Part II, The Dark Knight, The Empire Strikes Back and numerous others all build upon the characters and world-building established in their predecessors, enrichening both with natural evolution that makes us understand and care more about them that we did previously.

While I personally hesitate to call Wicked: For Good a sequel to last year’s movie musical phenomenon – it is, after all, just the second half of the singular story told the world over via the immensely popular stage version – it does enter that category of film successors that expand upon what we already know about this interpretation of Oz, its magical inhabitants, and the intimate connections made between those we’ve enjoyed watching together. It makes for a very different yet thematically richer than Wicked: Part 1 (as I guess it’s more or less officially known now), which ultimately may be the more enjoyable movie overall, but this one is just as impressive for its approach to heartfelt storytelling that tackles heavier themes with a surprising maturity and just as much zest for the filmmaking craft.

Once again directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good picks up a few years after the events of the previous film, where – spoilers for those who somehow still haven’t seen the first Wicked – the green-skinned Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has become Oz’s most feared pariah known as the Wicked Witch of the West, now spending her days freeing many of the enslaved animals from the clutches of the megalomaniacal Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and his Goebbels-esque press officer Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), whose propaganda has successfully turned Oz against Elphaba. Contrarily, Glinda (Ariana Grande) is seen as a heroic public figure whose charm and representation of goodness, coupled with her engagement to Oz’s new Captain of the Guards Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), has solidified her status as “Glinda the Good”, but deep down she mourns the demonisation of her best friend Elphaba, and yearns to be reunited with her before fate – much of it involving a tornado that brings about a certain human girl and her little dog, too – plays its hand.

It’s widely agreed among fans of the stage show that the second half of Wicked isn’t as strong as the first, with fewer memorable songs – or at least, none on the level of “Defying Gravity” or “Popular” – and much more of a tie-in with the world-famous original story of The Wizard of Oz that, surprisingly intense origins for certain iconic characters aside, feels largely forced. While it is true that most of that also applies to Wicked: For Good, Chu still sets aside enough time to show how each of these main characters have been altered – yes, for good – by the events of both the previous film and this one, diving deeper into some of their backstories and bringing up only the most necessary of information to better understand the choice they make or have made throughout the course of this entire story. The director gives each of them a moment or two to let their roles feel not just lived-in but also more layered than they may have originally been introduced as, and that more than anything makes you want to see where this particular story goes for them, because you enjoy watching them interact with one another and work through their own issues which stretch far beyond Oz itself.

Speaking of Oz, if Wicked: Part 1 was a mere introduction to this version of the magical realm, Wicked: For Good is all about expanding it, and once again this is a cinematic interpretation that you could easily see yourself getting comfortably lost within. Chu revels in bringing to life these stellar sets, costumes and visual effects as a means of creating an imaginative and exceptionally colourful Oz that pays tribute to past versions, most notably the classic MGM film, while still making it feel as though this interpretation could stand out on its own. And of course, the musical numbers from Stephen Schwartz elevate the storytelling to fresh emotional heights, even if once again there aren’t anywhere near as many immediate bangers in this half. That also goes for the two new songs that Schwartz has added here, though only one – the Glinda-centric “The Girl in the Bubble” – actually has a core narrative reason for being there, whereas the Elphaba-sung other feels a bit more like an unnecessary add-on that wouldn’t make the cut for your average Disney animated fairy tale.

But let’s face it: neither part of Wicked would completely work without the dynamic pairing of Erivo and Grande, whose loving chemistry fuelled the first film as it does here too, and whose singular contributions are arguably more apparent in this film. Although they share far less screen time in Wicked: For Good, you can still practically see, feel, hear and smell (not taste; that’d be a little creepy) the bond shared between Elphaba and Glinda as they find themselves forced apart and back together in utterly endearing ways as some of the best on-screen friendships tend to do, and their unmistakable connection paves the way toward some of the most heartbreaking moments in either Wicked film.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I choked up on one or two occasions during this, not just because Chu and the incredible production values make this story and its emotional centre so much more palatable, but also from how powerful these two performers are, both being phenomenal singers and actors who know just how to work their magic at the right moments. Ariana Grande, in particular, has the most opportunities to truly shine as Glinda, for while she is still just as hilariously airheaded and bubbly as before, there’s a real growth to the character here which arguably forms the biggest arc in the entire film, and Grande shows her range as she brings the viewer on an earnest emotional rollercoaster that, alongside Erivo’s similarly powerhouse turn as Elphaba, turns both parts of Wicked into a true cinematic event.

Although the previous film contains a livelier and more applause-worthy series of songs and moments, Wicked: For Good stands strongly as a formidable and satisfying conclusion which expands upon the world and its characters to make them deeper than before instead of simply just going bigger. And like most successful sequels, it gives you everything you want along with stuff you never knew you needed.

SO, TO SUM UP…

Wicked: For Good might not entirely live up to its phenomenal predecessor, but it remains a follow-up that lovingly expands upon the world and its characters for a thematically deeper and exceptionally crafted conclusion to the arcs of Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse turn as Elphaba and especially Ariana Grande’s exceptional take on Glinda.