It’s finally time. Wicked is now playing on the big screen, starring none other than Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. And with all the hype the storied tale has garnered over the last few months, including a whirlwind press tour, one thing is for certain: This is a film you don’t want to miss.
Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, is an adaptation based on the acclaimed longstanding Broadway show and book by Gregory Maguire. It’s directed by Jon M. Chu, of In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians fame, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, who originally composed the Broadway production. The story centers around Elphaba and Glinda (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, respectively), during their time at Shiz University. The two meet at the school, where they become roommates, rivals, and eventually, good friends. The film also features a large ensemble, including Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madam Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Bowen Yang as Pfannee, among others.
Erivo and Grande have become close offscreen, too. Erivo, who was just honored as one of ELLE’s 2024 Women in Hollywood, told ELLE, “I’ve gained a sister. At this point, we speak almost every day. Both of us were blown away by how connected we were immediately.” In an interview with Deadline, Grande shared similar sentiments, saying, “We both made the conscious decision when we met to take care of each other, and that’s what we have done in the realest of ways, every step. I always say this, but it’s one of the things that I think we’re most proud of. This whole thing.”
And since this iteration of Wicked is just the first of two films, there will be a lot more of Glinda and Elphaba to look forward to when part two arrives next year. For those who are venturing into the world of Wicked this weekend and wondering when they can watch it again at home, read on.
When will Wicked be available to stream?
As of now, there isn’t a set date as to when the first installment of Wicked will be released on streaming. However, it should eventually make its way to Peacock. In the meantime, to get yourself in the Wicked spirit, you can catch The Wizard of Oz, streaming now on Max.