By contributing writer Shayna Nellis, ’26

With the latest release of John M. Chu’s Wicked movie, let’s take a look at the story between the two witches of Oz. The famous musical, which is the fourth longest-running musical on Broadway, was a fan favorite and the film that is certain to have sold out box offices everywhere. The movie is perfect for fans who love a story of two best friends that will have a lasting effect on generations for good.

  To start, the musical was first made famous in the early 2000s, starring Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda (Galinda at the beginning of the show) and Idina Menzel as the wickedly infamous Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). The original Broadway production has music by Stephen Schwartz and the book by Winnie Holzman. If you look close enough in the movie, both writers make small cameos to surprise viewers everywhere!

  The musical is the fourth longest-running musical on Broadway, proving just how much people love this show. Songs such as Popular and Defying Gravity are sure to be household favorites because of how long the show has been running and how large the show has grown to become. Elphie and Glinda’s friendship is not just a story of friendship, but of love, courage, and heart. The movie adaptation has been in the works for over two decades, which shows how just one short day can turn into a lifetime.

  The movie has all the familiar songs from the original Broadway score and is packed full of artists like Grammy winners Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Netflix’s Jonathan Bailey, and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, to name a few. With beautiful real sets to capture you at Shiz University, the Emerald City, and everywhere in Oz, the movie uses limited CGI to make you feel like you’re in a real place. There are so many positively emerald hidden features to find when exploring the Land of Oz.