Wicked Movie Review (2024)
Is It Worth Watching?
Directed by Jon M. Chu · Universal Pictures · Rated PG · 2h 40min
Our Wicked movie review verdict: 4.5 out of 5. Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical is one of the best Hollywood musicals in years. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver career-best performances that justify every minute of the 160-minute runtime.
Want to watch it right now? Wicked is streaming on Peacock from $7.99/month. Here’s our complete review.
⚡ Quick Verdict — Wicked Movie Review
✅ What Works
- Cynthia Erivo is extraordinary
- Ariana Grande surprises everyone
- Visually jaw-dropping production
- Defying Gravity is breathtaking
- Faithful to the Broadway show
- Jon M. Chu’s passionate direction
- Outstanding musical numbers
⚠️ Watch Out For
- 2h 40min is a long runtime
- Second act pacing slows down
- Ends on a cliffhanger (Part 1)
- Not for musical non-fans
- Some CGI feels overused
“Even if you think musicals aren’t your thing — give Wicked a chance. Cynthia Erivo’s performance alone is worth every single minute of it.” — SmartKela Review
📊 Wicked Movie Review — All Ratings
| Source | Score | Rating Bar | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍅 Rotten Tomatoes Critics | 88% | Certified Fresh ✅ | |
| 🍿 Rotten Tomatoes Audience | 95% | Fan Favorite ✅ | |
| ⭐ IMDb Rating | 7.7/10 | Highly Rated ✅ | |
| 🟩 Metacritic | Generally Favorable ✅ | ||
| 🎭 CinemaScore | A | Audience Loved It ✅ | |
| 🎬 SmartKela Score | 4.5/5 | Must Watch ✅ |
Wicked holds an 88% Critics Score and 95% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes — one of the highest rated musicals in years.
🎬 Wicked (2024) — Movie Details
| Director | Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) |
| Starring | Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh |
| Studio | Universal Pictures |
| Runtime | 2 hours 40 minutes (160 minutes) |
| Rating | PG — Family friendly · Ages 7+ |
| Release Date | November 22, 2024 (Theatrical) |
| Streaming | Peacock — Available now |
| Box Office | $700+ million worldwide |
| Based On | Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz · Novel by Gregory Maguire |
📖 Wicked Movie Review — The Story
Wicked tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda — two young women at Shiz University in the Land of Oz — long before Dorothy ever arrived. Elphaba is the misunderstood, green-skinned outcast destined to become the Wicked Witch. Glinda is the bubbly, popular girl who will become the Good Witch.
What makes this Wicked movie review so positive is how the story handles its themes. This isn’t just a prequel. It’s a genuinely moving story about friendship, identity, prejudice, and what it means to be labeled “different” by a society that fears what it doesn’t understand.
The story covers Part 1 of a two-part adaptation. It ends on a major cliffhanger — which frustrated some viewers but works brilliantly as a theatrical experience.
⭐ Performances — Wicked Movie Review
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba is the single greatest reason to watch this movie. Her vocals are breathtaking, her emotional range is extraordinary, and her physical commitment to the role is total. She earned her Academy Award nomination — no question about it.
Ariana Grande’s Glinda was the biggest surprise of 2024. Her comedic timing is impeccable, her chemistry with Erivo is real and earned, and “Popular” is a genuine showstopper. Skeptics were converted within minutes. She absolutely belongs on this screen.
Jonathan Bailey brings movie star charisma to every frame. Jeff Goldblum is perfectly weird as The Wizard. Michelle Yeoh is quietly terrifying as Madame Morrible. Every piece of casting was inspired.
🎭 Standout Moments — Wicked Movie Review
The Wizard and I — Opening Sequence
Cynthia Erivo’s opening number immediately signals the quality of what’s coming. Her vocal performance in this scene alone justifies every award nomination she received.
Popular — Ariana Grande’s Scene-Stealer
The moment the entire internet fell in love with Ariana Grande’s Glinda. Hilarious, perfectly performed, and exactly what the Broadway show promises. She nails every single beat.
Defying Gravity — The Finale
The jaw-dropping Act One finale that sent audiences leaving theaters in stunned silence. Erivo’s vocal performance is one of the most powerful musical moments ever captured on film. Absolutely breathtaking in any format.
🏆 Awards & Nominations
🦚 Ready to Watch Wicked?
After reading this Wicked movie review — here’s exactly where and how to watch it right now.
🎬 Complete Wicked Streaming Guide →❓ Wicked Movie Review — FAQs
🎬 Wicked Movie Review — Final Verdict
Our Wicked movie review verdict is simple — 4.5 out of 5 and a genuine must-watch. Jon M. Chu delivered Hollywood’s best musical in years. Cynthia Erivo gives one of the greatest performances of 2024. Ariana Grande surprised the entire world. The visuals are extraordinary. The music is sensational.
Is it perfect? Not entirely — the runtime is long and the second act pacing dips. But the overall experience is genuinely magical and worth every minute.
Ready to watch? Wicked is streaming on Peacock right now from $7.99/month. Love musicals? Check our movies like Wicked list for what to watch next. Want the full Peacock library? Best movies on Peacock has 20 ranked picks.
