Wicked: For Good – The Epic Finale to Oz's Untold Story

Wicked: For Good, released on November 21, 2025, brings the two-part cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical to a thrilling close, delving deeper into the complex friendship between Elphaba and Glinda while reimagining the origins of The Wizard of Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, this PG-rated sequel picks up after the events of the first film, where Elphaba defies the Wizard and is branded the Wicked Witch of the West.​

The story unfolds with Glinda rising to stardom as Oz's beloved figurehead, preparing for a grand wedding to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), now Captain of the Gale Force. Haunted by her rift with Elphaba, Glinda tries to reconcile them with the Wizard, but tensions escalate as Elphaba fights for Animal rights from hiding. Chaos ensues when a girl from Kansas Dorothy crashes into Oz, her house fatally striking Elphaba's sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who rules Munchkinland tyrannically. Boq (Ethan Slater), transformed into a tin man after a botched spell, and Fiyero's own changes add layers of heartbreak and heroism.​

As propaganda paints Elphaba as evil, an angry mob forms in the Emerald City. Madame Morrible's manipulations, including a summoned tornado, push Glinda to confront her complicity. Elphaba, wielding the Grimmerie, frees imprisoned Animals like Dr. Dillamond but faces betrayal. Fiyero joins her cause, leading to his brutal beating and transformation into a scarecrow. In a poignant climax at Kiamo Ko castle, Elphaba imprisons Dorothy, demands the stolen silver shoes, and shares a tearful farewell with Glinda, embracing her "wickedness" as the mob closes in.

The film's emotional core is the evolving bond between Elphaba and Glinda, tested by love, power, and truth. New scenes amplify their empathy, with screenwriter Dana Fox adding heartfelt moments absent from the stage version, including Fiyero's romantic dilemmas. Revelations like the Wizard as Elphaba's father add depth, culminating in Glinda's rise as Oz's true leader, restoring Animal rights and exiling Morrible.​

Wicked: For Good masterfully blends spectacle grand weddings, flying monkeys, and mob scenes with themes of friendship, identity, and redemption. It connects seamlessly to The Wizard of Oz, explaining the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion while subverting expectations. Critics praise Erivo and Grande's powerhouse vocals in songs like "Thank Goodness" and the finale, making this a must-see for musical fans.

As Glinda and Elphaba change Oz "for good," the movie leaves audiences reflecting on seeing others and ourselves truly.