Is Wicked: For Good better than the first? Early reactions suggest yes

Wicked: For Good is making waves, and early reviews suggest that it is set to top the first one.

Critics are raving about the movie, calling it emotionally deep, visually stunning, and full of big musical moments. Cynthia Erivo’s take on Elphaba is getting called “magnificent.” Ariana Grande, playing Glinda, is apparently stealing the show.

And Jon M. Chu, the director, is getting a lot of love for taking the story even further, making Oz feel bigger and more alive than ever. Critics say the new songs add a lot to the story, and they sound like real contenders for some awards.

If the first one pulled fans into the magic, Wicked: For Good looks like it’s set to deliver a finale that soars even higher, and maybe sticks the landing even better.

Wicked: For Good comes out in theaters across the U.S. on November 21, 2025. Before that, the film made stops around the world for early premieres: São Paulo at Suhai Music Hall on November 4, Paris at Le Grand Rex on November 7, London at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on November 10, Singapore at Universal Studios Singapore on November 13, and New York City at the Metropolitan Opera on November 17.

Amazon Prime subscribers got a sneak peek in select theaters on November 17, and early access for everyone else started on November 19.

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Is Wicked: For Good better than the first? Here's what early reviews say

Critical review suggests that Wicked: For Good delivers. Most reviews note that the movie hits hard emotionally, with standout performances from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The visuals are gorgeous. And the new songs seem to be a big hit, too.

Newsweek says everyone is on the same page, calling the early reactions “unanimous praise.” Variety’s Jazz Tangcay goes even bigger on X and says the film “exceeds all expectations,” especially when it comes to the story, the world-building, and how the cast brings it all to life.

BuzzFeed UK calls the new songs “life-changing” and says the sequel “delivers in every way possible.” According to early reviews, tracks such as For Good and No Good Deed stand out and are being pitched as award-worthy.

ComingSoon.net quotes a viewer, calling it “a thrill ride and a heartbreaker,” saying it keeps all the magic of the original while adding even more to the story. And over at Yahoo!, reviewers are really into the visuals, the cinematography, and the costume work.

Meanwhile, Cynthia’s Elphaba is being described as “magnificent.” Ariana’s Glinda is getting “tour-de-force” praise, with reviews highlighting that some say this could be a career-defining role. On top of that, the chemistry between the two did not go unnoticed. It is being noted that their emotional arcs could be deeper than in the first movie.

When it comes to emotional and thematic depth, Wicked: For Good is being described as an “epic and heartbreakingly tender conclusion” to Elphaba and Glinda’s story. Critics say Jon M. Chu “deepens every spell cast by the first film”, according to Variety's Clayton Davis.

There is also discussion of higher stakes, more political tension, identity, and what it costs to stay true to yourself.

With respect to the visuals and the world-building, Variety’s Jazz Tangcay especially points out “Alice Brooks’ cinematography”, mentioning that it “deserves your attention.” In fact, a viewer on X called it a visual “thrill-ride.”

The fan buzz is also building. One viewer was quoted as saying by Trendy Reviews, saying:

“I cried three times.”

The trailer for Wicked: For Good, which was released on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, suggests the story might take a darker turn this time around. There are possibilities for more mature themes than the first one, and the audience looks all in for the same, if we judge by the early reception.

According to Box Office Mojo, Wicked grossed almost $759 million worldwide. Notably, it also broke the Guinness World Record for “highest-grossing movie based on a stage.” On Rotten Tomatoes, Wicked has an 88% Tomatometer and 95% Popcornmeter. Metacritic has it sitting at 73/100, making it “generally favorable.”

In addition to the positive critical buzz, Wicked also received a ton of accolades. Wicked picked up 13 wins and 40 nominations from major awards shows, plus a spot on the AFI Top 10 list.

That means Wicked: For Good has a lot to live up to and many areas to cover. While the early buzz hints that it could be onto something great, the complete picture will only become evident when it hits theaters worldwide.