On November 21st, 2025, the sequel to “Wicked: Part 1” was officially released in theaters across the globe and flawlessly ended an iconic story. On opening day, Wicked: For Good has already grossed 68.6 million domestically, making the film’s release the largest cinematic debut of 2025. This film was highly anticipated since the release of the previous film a year prior on November 22nd, 2024. “Wicked: Part One” followed the beginning stages of Elphaba and Galinda’s journey, known in the timeless 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz” as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. The first film details their rocky start as unexpected roommates at Shiz University blossoming into a beautiful friendship that defies all limits.
“Wicked: For Good” takes place five years after the conclusion of the original movie and follows the hardships of Elphaba and Galinda and their new respective lives. Elphaba is condemned and feared by Ozian society whilst Galinda is revered as a public figure. The film depicts the secret corruption behind Oz, the origins of renowned characters like the Tin Man and the Scarecrow, and Elphaba’s desperate attempt to prove she’s not truly wicked. The film utilizes musical numbers to empower the meaning of scenes. For example, the songs “Wonderful”, “No Good Deed”, and “For Good” add to the events taking place in the film. “Wonderful” helps to depict the superficial glamour of being idolized in Oz and Galinda trying to convince Elphaba to join the system she was completely against. “No Good Deed” creates an anxious tone for the fear of what will happen to Elphaba’s love interest, Fiyero and emphasizes Elphaba’s decision to embrace the wickedness everyone perceives her as. “For Good” reflects on the journey of Elphaba and Glinda and their transition from students at Shiz to the people they became, acknowledging their friendship helped them both for the better.
“Wicked: For Good” also included two original songs that weren’t utilized in the Broadway musical. “The Girl in the Bubble” sung by Ariana Grande depicts Glinda breaking free from her compliance with the fraudulent Ozian society and truly becoming “Glinda the Good”. “No Place Like Home”, sung by Cynthia Erivo represents Elphaba’s faith to her home despite the fact she is despised by the masses and wanting the animals to help join her in a battle against the discrimination they face in Oz. These songs depict the two witches personal journeys and their motivation to make a genuine change in the land of Oz.
“Wicked: For Good” had humorous, dramatic, somber, and exciting elements paired with incredible visuals and musical numbers, making the film just as memorable and incredible as the first one. The film did an incredible job at balancing advancements in the plot and tying the film back to its origins in “The Wizard of Oz”. Out of all the films, I’ve seen in 2025, Wicked: For Good has been undoubtedly my favorite. There are so many facets to the film that make it truly amazing and the director, Jon M. Chu, did an incredible job at honoring both the long-standing Broadway production and the unforgettable masterpiece, “The Wizard of Oz”.
