Wicked: For Good Stumbles on Rotten Tomatoes, Scores Nearly 20% Below the Original
Wicked: For Good stumbles, scoring significantly lower on Rotten Tomatoes than Wicked: Part One.
Early word on Wicked: For Good is in, and it’s a mixed bag. The sequel’s still drawing plenty of applause, but the numbers are noticeably softer than Part One. Here’s how it’s shaking out before it hits theaters.
The score right now
Wicked: For Good is sitting at 71% on Rotten Tomatoes as of today, based on 118 reviews ahead of its release later this week. That’s a 19-point drop from 2024’s Wicked: Part One, which holds at 88%.
Our take
We landed on four stars. This second chapter leans darker and sadder, and it pays off emotionally. It also bumps into the limits of its source and doesn’t deliver many memorable new songs.
"A darker and sadder Part 2 brings the story of Oz's witches to a moving close and cements Jon M. Chu's adaptation of Wicked as an absolute triumph," although "For Good suffers slightly from thinner source material and weak new songs."
What other critics are saying
- Screen Daily isn’t feeling the go-big approach, arguing that Jon M. Chu piles on so much spectacle it dulls the senses and squeezes out nuance, depth, and genuine emotion.
- The Independent says the movie barely moves, literally or emotionally, with no major revelations or awe, and too many moments where characters process their lessons via standardized ballads.
- RogerEbert.com notes the songs aren’t as sticky this time, but says the film finds its voice where it matters most: the aching, fractured friendship at the center.
The story this time
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are back as Elphaba and Glinda, best friends who split after Elphaba defies the Wizard’s regime and gets branded the Wicked Witch of the West. The film covers the second act of the Broadway smash and threads in events from The Wizard of Oz, but keeps the focus squarely on Elphaba and Glinda.
Release plan
Wicked: For Good flies into theaters on November 21.
While you wait
Want a refresher? Revisit how Wicked: Part One wrapped things up, or scan the rest of this year’s biggest movie release dates to see what’s next.