‘Wicked: For Good’ Rotten Tomatoes Score Is In – Does It Match the First Film?

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Okay, so I just saw Wicked: For Good, the follow-up to the beloved musical, and it’s… complicated. The reviews are landing somewhere between good and mixed, but overall I’d say it’s worth checking out. Jon M. Chu directs, and they brought back Winnie Holzman, who wrote the stage show, along with Dana Fox to adapt the story. This movie basically covers the second half of the original Wicked musical, with music by Stephen Schwartz, of course.

This story revisits the characters of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring how they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, both before and during the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The film welcomes back Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, and is excited to introduce new cast member Colman Domingo.

Rotten Tomatoes reports a 74% approval rating from critics, based on 88 reviews – a small increase from its original 72%. Viewers seem to love it even more, with a 97% rating. However, the score remains lower than that of the first film.

Reviewers loved the movie, saying it continued the story from the first film in a satisfying way and deepened the characters while capturing the spirit of the original musical. Erivo and Grande’s performances were particularly praised, and many noted the film featured both powerful songs and genuinely moving scenes.

This film covers the second half of the musical Wicked, but it feels more like a continuation of the story begun in last year’s movie. Similar to sequels like The Empire Strikes Back or Back to the Future Part II, it expands on the existing story and deepens the characters.

Fred Topel

The ending feels incomplete and doesn’t tie everything together, but that wasn’t really Chu’s strength to begin with. Considering the challenges, he did a commendable job.

Paul Klein

Chu’s Wicked: For Good proves he’s a true talent with musicals. This impressive continuation beautifully concludes the film’s story, and both Erivo and Grande-Butera are likely to be recognized with award nominations.

Katie Smith-Wong

While ‘Wicked: For Good’ has its moments, the second half doesn’t quite reach the emotional high of the original ‘Wicked’. This is likely because the story it’s based on doesn’t have enough depth to create the same powerful, uplifting feeling as the iconic song ‘Defying Gravity’.

Derrick Murray

The first movie felt very cinematic, but this second one leans more into the style of a stage musical. Those who loved the original Wicked musical will likely be thrilled, though people unfamiliar with it might not enjoy it as much. Overall, it’s a magical film with strong themes and excellent acting.

Grace Randolph

While many enjoyed the movie, some reviewers felt it was inconsistent. Common criticisms included the story feeling too long and the fast pace. The film’s intense visuals were also mentioned as potentially overwhelming, and those unfamiliar with the story of Wicked might find it harder to follow than the original movie.

The initial wonder and effortless flight from the first part of the story quickly fades in ‘For Good,’ ultimately leading to a disappointing and jarring landing.

Rendy Jones

If you enjoyed the first movie’s wildly colorful and over-the-top look – imagine a playful explosion of bright colors – you’ll find this one is just as visually intense.

Donald Clarke

Watching “For Good” makes you feel like this story would have worked better as one big, complete movie.

Brian Orndorf

The sequel sticks too closely to the original story and relies on predictable emotions and structures. Because it doesn’t try anything new or daring, it ultimately fails to take off and feels weighed down.

Siddhant Adlakha

The sequel to Jon M. Chu’s popular 2024 film continues the story, but with a more serious tone. While the first half of the film is strong, the second half doesn’t quite live up to the excitement of the beginning, even for devoted fans.

Odie Henderson

The movie Wicked: For Good has already premiered in cities around the world, including São Paulo, Paris, London, Singapore, and New York City. It will be released in U.S. theaters by Universal Pictures on November 21st.

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2025-11-19 01:15