Wicked (2024)

Last updated:
August 2, 2025

Wicked: Part One is the first installment of the two-part cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical directed by Jon M. Chu. It debuted November 22, 2024, and sets up the larger narrative that concludes with Part Two in November 2025.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Shiz University – Origins of an Unlikely Friendship

Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) arrives at Shiz University for magic school, immediately standing out due to her green skin and strong ideals. Despite early friction, she forms a complex bond with the bubbly Glinda (Ariana Grande), crowned by rivalry and mutual misunderstanding.

Discovering Oz’s Dark Side

Under the mentorship of Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), Elphaba befriends talking animals and learns of the Wizard’s plans to enslave them. Glinda begins to see cracks in Oz’s glittering facade, and the two friends find themselves questioning authority.

Magic Goes Wrong – Betrayal and Chaos

Elphaba attempts a powerful spell using the Grimmerie—the Wizard’s magical tome—and unintentionally turns his monkeys into flying creatures in pain. Branded dangerous and accused of theft, she and Glinda flee the palace in a dramatic chase aboard a broomstick, culminating in the iconic “Defying Gravity” song that becomes the film’s emotional and narrative apex.

Movie Ending

At the climax, Elphaba fully embraces the identity of the Wicked Witch of the West. Falsely accused and betrayed by the Wizard and many in Oz, she chooses exile over conformity—flying west on her broomstick. Meanwhile, Glinda remains behind in Emerald City, aligning with the Wizard’s regime and stepping onto her own path of power and societal influence. The final scene ends with Elphaba soaring above Oz as “Defying Gravity” crescendos, and the screen fades to “To Be Continued.” This powerful cliffhanger makes clear the deep division ahead and sets the tone for Wicked: Part Two in November 2025.

Are There Post‑Credits Scenes?

No, Wicked does not feature any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. After the final musical sequence, the title treatment appears with “To Be Continued,” and the credits roll uninterrupted. The filmmakers intentionally avoid additional scenes to preserve the potency of the emotional finale and let the ending stand on its own.

Type of Movie

A musical fantasy drama, blending elements of coming-of-age, political allegory, friendship, and rebellion, richly grounded in spectacle and music.

Cast

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp
Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz
Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero
Ethan Slater as Boq
Peter Dinklage as Doctor Dillamond
Marissa Bode as Nessarose
Bowen Yang as Pfannee
Bronwyn James as ShenShen
Keala Settle as Coddle

Film Music and Composer

Stephen Schwartz, composer of the original musical, collaborated with film-score maestro John Powell to score the movie.
The official soundtrack, released November 22, 2024, features live-on-set vocals by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande singing seven of the eleven tracks.
A separate score album (78 min) by Powell and Schwartz followed December 6, 2024.

Filming Locations

Large-scale sets and practical effects define Wicked. The production built massive physical environments for environments such as:

Real mud used to create the bright yellow-brick road, reinforced by millions of real tulips in Munchkinland.
A 16-ton Emerald City train constructed atop working tracks, allowing for dynamic boarding and practical movement scenes.

These tangible elements ground the spectacle and elevate the emotional realism—especially in musical numbers rooted in motion.

Awards & Nominations

National Board of Review: Won Best Film, Best Director (Chu), and Spotlight Award for the Erivo–Grande collaboration (first fantasy/musical to win Best Film).
Astra Film Awards: Won 4 awards including Best Picture and Best Director, from 8 nominations.
Golden Globes: Won Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, nominated for Best Picture (Musical/Comedy), Best Actress (Erivo), Best Supporting Actress (Grande).
Critics’ Choice Awards: 11 nominations, won Best Director, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design.
Screen Actors Guild Awards: 5 nominations (including ensemble and stunt ensemble).
Academy Awards: 10 nominations—including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Costume and Production Design; won Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Jon M. Chu pursued Wicked for over 20 years before production went ahead in 2021–2023.
Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande caught COVID‑19 during filming, affecting key sequences around their musical numbers.
The production favored practical sets over CG: real mud, real flowers, and massive practical set pieces like the Emerald City train.
Director regrets cutting certain deleted scenes: The improv-heavy comedic Bowen Yang‑centered take (“I’ve… been through”) and a heartfelt Elphaba’s Promise dormitory scene felt emotionally important but were cut for pacing.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Home video and streaming (Digital / Blu‑Ray) released December 31, 2024, include extended and deleted scenes:

Deleted & Extended Scenes:
- Pfannee & ShenShen reunite with Glinda at Shiz University
- Shiz Gazette introduces Fiyero
- Toss Toss lesson between Glinda and Elphaba
- Elphaba & Fiyero bonding in the forest over a lost lion cub
- Elphaba’s Promise (dorm pledge to Glinda)
- Train platform farewell
- Extended palace-monkey chase and train ride to Emerald City.
Director Chu expressed regret cutting several emotional scenes, especially the Bowen Yang improv and Elphaba‑Glinda interactions.

Inspirations and References

Based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, adapted into the Tony‑winning musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman.
Visual inspirations included early‑era Steven Spielberg films, Truman Show, and Pleasantville, fused with West Side Story and Disney musical aesthetics through practical design and vivid costumes by Paul Tazewell.

Book Adaptations & Differences

The film adapts the first act of the musical and novel closely, but streamlines several character arcs and pacing:

Adds new emotional beats (e.g. Elphaba’s Promise) omitted from the stage show.
Condenses ensemble dynamics at Shiz University.
Uses fewer fantasy sequences in favor of grounded, cinematic realism.
The central themes remain, but narrative choices focus on setting up the broader Part Two arc.

Memorable Scenes & Quotes

Key Scenes

Elphaba’s magical mishap turning monkeys into winged creatures
The rooftop escape and chase through palace corridors
The soaring “Defying Gravity” finale

Iconic Quotes

Elphaba: “I’ve been called wicked all my life… Might as well be the Wicked Witch of the West.”
Glinda: “If you needed someone, you could’ve picked me.”
From the Wizard to Elphaba: a confrontation revealing hidden cruelty and political control

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The credits design pays homage to The Wizard of Oz (1939) aesthetic, mirroring its classic style.
Visual color shifts track Elphaba’s internal transformation, from drab surroundings to vibrant green as she gains confidence.
Subtle shout‑outs to Broadway origins: choreographic nods, musical staging echoes, and callbacks to original cast members in cameo stage personas seen in deleted footage.

Trivia

Runtime: ~160 minutes (2 h 40 min); extended fan-edits with deleted scenes bring it to ~170 min.
Costume designer Paul Tazewell (Hamilton, West Side Story) crafted looks inspired by mushrooms and Oz flora to personify character identities.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande recorded many vocals live on set—a rare musical film approach aimed at immediacy and authenticity.

Why Watch?

Because it’s a stunning blend of powerful performances, emotional truths, and grand world-building. It reimagines the familiar Wizard of Oz myth through the lens of empowerment, prejudice, and friendship—with unforgettable songs and visuals.

Wicked (2024)

Detailed Summary