Wicked: Part 1’ Hits Theaters: A Musical Spectacle with Mixed Reviews

The highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical ‘Wicked‘ has finally hit theaters, marking the first part of a two-part series. Directed by Jon M. Chu, ‘Wicked: Part 1’ stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with a supporting cast that includes Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.

The film, based on the musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, and loosely on Gregory Maguire‘s 1995 novel, follows the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, a green-skinned girl with extraordinary magical talents, and Glinda, a privileged and popular wannabe witch, as they attend Shiz University. The story sets the stage for Elphaba’s eventual transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West.

Reviews of the film have been mixed. While many fans and critics praise the performances of Erivo and Grande, as well as the film’s production design and costumes, some have criticized the marketing and certain creative choices. The film’s extended runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes, which covers the first act of the musical, has been both praised for its faithfulness to the source material and criticized for its pacing and the inclusion of too much content from the trailers.

The debate over audience behavior during screenings has also been a topic of discussion. AMC has requested that viewers refrain from singing along during the movie, but some fans argue that singing is a natural part of the musical experience. The issue has sparked a broader conversation, with the film’s stars weighing in; Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande suggest that while singing along might be acceptable on the first viewing, subsequent viewings should allow the audience to fully appreciate the performances without interruptions.

Despite some criticisms, the film has been well-received by many for its emotional impact, heartfelt performances, and the faithful adaptation of the beloved musical. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of ‘Wicked: Part 2,’ scheduled for November 21, 2025.