Buzz around the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked has swirled like autumn leaves, with excitement reaching new heights amid some controversy. The movie premiered on November 22, 2024, and quickly soared to the top of the box office, raking in $164.2 million globally during its debut weekend. This is no surprise for those who know the story, which traces the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, asking the pivotal question: Are people born wicked, or does it come from how they are treated? The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, both delivering performances filled with charisma, depth, and impressive vocal prowess.
Critically acclaimed, the adaptation has sparked discussions around not just the performances, but also the nuances of audience behavior. Cynthia Erivo recently chimed in on whether it’s acceptable for fans to sing along with the film. During the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, she enthusiastically encouraged moviegoers to join the musical spirit. "Good! I’m OK with it. We’ve spent this long singing it ourselves, it’s time for everyone else to join in. It’s wonderful,” Erivo told Today co-host Hoda Kotb.
The excitement among fans goes beyond spontaneous sing-alongs; it’s also about officially sanctioned interactive screenings. Starting Christmas Day, theaters across North America will host special sing-along versions, inviting audiences to belt out fan-favorites like “Defying Gravity.” This announcement was met with jubilation, as the sing-along trend has proven immensely popular with other musical movie adaptations.
But it hasn’t been all cheers and celebration — the film has also been hit with controversy, particularly across the pond. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has issued a trigger warning for the film, citing potential distress for viewers due to themes such as discrimination and bullying shown against the characters, particularly Elphaba, whose green skin serves as both a literal and symbolic target for prejudice. The BBFC noted, “seeing beloved characters mistreated” could be “upsetting and poignant” for some audiences. This warning led to uproar online, with many dismissing it and accusing the board of being overly sensitive.
Contributing to the uproar, critics have pointed out the absurdity of providing warnings for fictional scenarios such as those depicted in Wicked. Piers Morgan and other commentators took to social media to voice their frustrations, asking the “woke brigade” to "f*** off with this nonsense,” arguing the inclusion of such warnings detracts from the enjoyment of the film and its intended messaging about acceptance and power dynamics.
Further complicate matters, the BBFC reported several reasons for issuing the trigger warning. These included bullying directed at Elphaba for her unusual skin color, condescending treatment of disabled characters, and even scenes where animals are persecuted. The movie's portrayal of these issues is woven meaningfully throughout its narrative and is integral to its commentary on social issues, inviting viewers to reflect on discrimination. Supporters of the regulation argue the warning’s purpose is to prepare younger audiences for the experiences depicted on screen. "Some people might even argue these depictions of racist abuse are quite heavy-handed," said The Guardian columnist Stuart Heritage, defending the BBFC’s decision.
Beyond discussions about audience etiquette and content warnings, moviegoers across various demographics continue to embrace the film's magic. Many have praised the film's high production values, as it features live vocals performed on set, maintaining authenticity and enhancing the theater magic once experienced onstage. A young theater enthusiast took to reviewing the film, explaining how the adaptation captured the energy of live performances, stating, "It risks falling flat if it can't replicate the magic, and this version manages to do just about perfectly."
Indeed, weathering both mounting praise and criticism, Wicked has undeniably become part of the cultural lexicon, highlighting artistic conversations about performance, societal attitudes, and how stories reflect the world we live in, even when set against the backdrop of fantastical elements. The anticipation builds as the second part of the adaptation is scheduled for release in November 2025, ensuring the conversation about Wicked continues to grow.
