Wicked: For Good (2025) – A Strong Finish to a Beautiful Story (8/10)
After being completely moved by Wicked (2024)—one of the most emotional movies I’ve seen in years—I finally sat down for the sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025). I’ll be honest: I’m not a fan of splitting stories into two parts released a year apart (same thing annoyed me with Dune and Lord of the Rings). I waited on purpose, just like I did with Dune after reading the book, because I prefer watching the full arc at once. Turns out it was the right call—this way the whole journey from part 1 to part 2 felt seamless and even more powerful. Expectations were high after the first film’s perfect 10/10 for me… and while this one isn’t quite that flawless, it’s still a beautiful, emotional ride. Solid 8/10.
See also: Wicked (2024) – The Beautiful Origin Story That Almost Made Me Cry
The Story: The Other Side of Oz Comes Crashing Down
Wicked: For Good picks up exactly where part 1 left off. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now fully branded the “Wicked Witch of the West,” is in hiding, fighting for the silenced Talking Animals and trying to expose the Wizard’s lies. Glinda (Ariana Grande) is living the dream—famous, adored, engaged to Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), the perfect symbol of “goodness” in Emerald City.
But cracks appear everywhere. Glinda tries to broker peace between Elphaba and the Wizard, only pushing them further apart. We see how Boq becomes the Tin Man, Fiyero the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion gets his origin—clever, heartbreaking twists on the classic tale. And then a certain house from Kansas crashes in, mobs rise, and Elphaba and Glinda have one last chance to truly see each other.
What Makes It Beautiful
- The themes go even deeper: power, propaganda, friendship vs. fame, staying true to yourself when the world calls you “wicked.” Oz looks perfect, but it’s built on lies and oppression.
- Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are still incredible together—one fierce and raw, the other bubbly turning fragile. Their final moments? Pure emotion.
- Seeing the origins of Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion in this darker, more human way was genius.
- Visuals remain stunning—Emerald City glows, forests feel alive, everything looks like a dream turning nightmare.
My One Small Issue
A few songs felt a bit out of place or dragged the pacing. Cutting one or two would’ve made it tighter. Tiny complaint, but it stopped me from giving another perfect score.
Ratings and Critical Reception
- IMDb: 6.9/10 (44,000 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67 % critics (339 reviews) / 93 % audience
Critics liked part 1 more (88 %), audiences still love this one. Made $507 million on $150 million budget—both films huge successes together. My 8/10 sits closer to the audience love.
Final Take: Worth the Wait for the Full Story
At 8/10, Wicked: For Good is a strong, emotional ending to one of the best musical adaptations ever. The friendship, the heartbreak, the message that “wicked” might just be misunderstood—it all lands.
If you loved part 1, this completes the magic. If you haven’t seen either—do yourself a favor and watch them back-to-back like I did. You’ll thank me.
What did you think of Wicked: For Good? Favorite moment or song? Did the origins of the classic characters work for you? Drop your thoughts below!
And suggest my next musical or fantasy watch—I’m still floating in Oz.
If this review got you ready for the full story, like, follow, share. See you in the next one!
