Wicked Movie Reviews: Do Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Deliver?
Did the Wicked Film Live Up to the Hype? Read the Reviews
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande lead the cast of Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation.
The release of the highly anticipated Wicked film will be on November 22. The review embargo has lifted, allowing critics to share their thoughts.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, known for In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians, this film adaptation is a major topic among movie musicals. Critics have begun to share their reviews, discussing whether the film meets expectations.
Reviews from Various Outlets:
- Backlot Magazine: Ridge Harripersad
- Business Insider: Palmer Haasch
- Collider: Jeff Ewing
- The Daily Beast: Kevin Fallon
- Deadline: Pete Hammond
- Entertainment Weekly: Christian Holub
- The Guardian: Peter Bradshaw
- Hello Magazine: Rebecca Lewis
- IGN: Alyssa Mora
- The Independent: Chris Wasser
- The Irish Examiner: Declan Burke
- The Irish Times: Donald Clarke
- LA Times: Katie Walsh
- Looper: Cynthia Vinney
- Mashable: Kristy Puchko
- Metro UK: Tori Brazier
- NPR: Aisha Harris
- The New Statesman: Simran Hans
- The New York Post: Johnny Oleksinski
- Out Magazine: Mey Rude
- People Magazine: Eric Andersson
- Polygon: Petrana Radulovic
- Screen Crush: Matt Singer
- Screen Daily: Fionnuala Halligan
- Screen Rant: Rachel Labonte
- The Seattle Times: Moira Macdonald
- Slant Magazine: Dan Rubins
- Slash Film: Witney Seibold
- The Telegraph: Robbie Collin
- TheaterMania: David Gordon
- USA Today: Brian Truitt
- Variety: Peter Debruge
- Vulture: Bilge Ebiri
- WhatsOnStage: Alex Wood
- The Wrap: William Bibbiani
Wicked features songs by Stephen Schwartz and a screenplay by Winnie Holzman. The lead roles are played by Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Grammy Award winner Ariana Grande as Glinda.
The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose.
The musical debuted in 2003 on Broadway and remains popular at the Gershwin Theatre. It is based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, with music and lyrics by Schwartz. The original leads were Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Wicked has won several Tony Awards, including Best Actress in a Musical.
Tickets for the film can be found at WickedMovie.com. The soundtrack will release on November 22, and the second part of the film is scheduled for release on Thanksgiving 2025.
Playbill will keep updating this list as more reviews come in.