Wicked Proves Itself to be “Popular” Among Fans

The movie brings new depth to the original Broadway-debuted story while staying true to the magic of the classic.

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Wicked flew onto the big screen with a little less magic and a bit more studio polish, but a deeper dive into the wizarding world!

Wicked made its big screen debut on Nov. 23, with fans praising its faithfulness to Gregory Maguire’s novel. However, some miss the magic of the live stage production. This adaptation marks a key moment in Broadway-to-film as Wicked had the largest movie-musical opening weekend in history. 

“This version offers a deeper, more nuanced exploration of the story's systemic racism and privilege,” Val Perez, a dedicated Wicked musical fan, said. “From how Elphaba was treated before and after Glinda became her friend, to how she was used as a scapegoat for all the wrong in Oz, it was refreshing to see.”

At over two and a half hours, Wicked: Part 1 is nearly as long as the full Broadway show, giving the filmmakers more room to flesh out details that may have been glossed over on stage. The extended runtime allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their motivations, as well as a chance to expand on elements that were only hinted at in the musical.

“The movie did a lot of world-building that was established in the original book, while also including the theatrical elements of the Broadway musical,” Perez said. “It made the themes that much more impactful and brought out the deep emotions that come with said themes.”

While the core plot remains intact, several subtle but significant changes exist. The movie dives deeper into Elphaba's backstory, showing her childhood and the tender relationship with her sister, Nessarose. 

In the stage production, Elphaba’s backstory is covered briefly in “No One Mourns the Wicked,” the first establishing number. Still, the film provides a more detailed glimpse of her early life, complete with a new character, Dulcibear, who raises Elphaba after her father rejects her for being green and also serves as a light in a society that rejects Elphaba.  

“It was incredibly impactful and so sad,” Isa Victorson, a New York University student, said. “This bear nanny is the only being that showed young Elphaba any compassion and love.”

While the film stays largely true to the Broadway production, it doesn't shy away from changes that reflect the evolving nature of storytelling in cinema. 

The technical elements, however, have drawn mixed responses from fans. 

Wicked's original cast album, which won a Grammy for its iconic performances by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, set a high bar for musical excellence. However, some fans felt that the film’s adaptation of the songs had an overly polished and sometimes overproduced sound.

“You can’t really beat seeing Elphaba fly and sing ‘Defying Gravity’ right in front of you,” Hunter Smith, an NYU student, said. “Cynthia could make ‘Old McDonald’ sound pretty, they should have just left the live vocals alone.”

Whether you're a long-time devotee of the Broadway show or a newcomer to the world of Oz, the Wicked movie has made fans want even more, proving that the magic of the witches of Oz can transcend the stage and take flight on the big screen. The journey is far from over; fans can’t wait to see where it goes next. Despite some misplaced musical riffs, the overwhelming sentiment from fans is one of excitement for what’s to come in Wicked: Part 2, slated for release in November 2025. 

“I can't wait for Part 2,” Taylor Truckenbrod, an NYU student said. “They have a lot of pressure but I think they'll deliver.”