The first Wicked: For Good reactions have arrived. Wicked was a massive critical and commercial success, grossing $756 million worldwide, and receiving an 88% Tomatometer score and 95% Popcornmeter score.
Wicked: For Good‘s story adapts the second half of the original Broadway musical and delivers an emotional ending for the journeys of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), Nessarose (Marissa Bode), and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh).
Now, the first reactions to the movie are making waves on social media, with many early viewers impressed and moved by what they have seen. Check out the responses below:
Variety‘s Jazz Tangcay declares that For Good “exceeds all expectations”, is “sheer musical greatness”, and hails director Jon M. Chu as “a genius” for how he concludes the story. She also points out how strong the world building, costumes, and cinematography of Alice Brooks are.
Vanity Fair‘s Rebecca Ford emphasizes that For Good is “gorgeous, full of heart, and sticks the landing” as Chu has “done it again!”
@MrDavidGordon praises For Good as being “everything you want it to be”, which includes the film’s “extremely emotional” and “thrill ride” approach. He also describes it as “a heartbreaker” and “sexy.”
@kkassal says watching For Good with members of the original Broadway cast is “something I will never forget” and encourages audiences to “bring your tissues” after Grande-Butera’s Academy Award-worthy performance.
@DestinyDreadful proclaims that the movie cements Elphaba and Glinda as “one of the most dynamic friendships in pop culture history.” They also describe it as “an epic and heartbreakingly tender conclusion” and tease that there will be plenty for Broadway fans to love in the adaptation.
@christress highlights that Erivo and Grande-Butera “take their performances to the next level with jaw dropping performances”, along with complimenting the film for how it “expands and deepens the original source material in generally exciting and innovative ways.”
These reactions indicate that For Good not only lives up to Wicked‘s reviews, but may even be superior to its predecessor. The sequel has seemingly met the challenge of its extraordinarily high expectations and delivered in a way that leaves audiences deeply satisfied.
In addition to building on the first movie’s critical and financial success, the early reactions bode well for Erivo and Grande-Butera’s chances at the Academy Awards. Both received nominations for Wicked, with Erivo in the Best Actress category and Grande-Butera in the Best Supporting Actress category, but neither of them won.
This time around, Erivo or Grande-Butera could walk away with an Academy Award win. Along with their already-praised acting performances, they are performing Wicked: For Good‘s iconic songs, including “For Good” and “No Good Deed.” Erivo and Grande-Butera will also be performing brand-new songs for the musical, with Elphaba’s “No Place Like Home” and Glinda’s “The Girl in the Bubble.”
With multiple reactions noting how Wicked: For Good faithfully enhances the Broadway musical, Elphaba and Glinda’s new songs appear to be among a series of changes that viewers should expect. These changes have landed with audiences so far, though, and the sequel is poised to once again be a box office hit that resonates with critics and general audiences.
Wicked: For Good comes to theaters on November 21.
- Release Date
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November 21, 2025
- Director
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Jon M. Chu
- Writers
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Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire