The first European screening of Wicked took place in London last night (November 18) and the reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.
Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum were among the cast to brave the rainy weather as the capital’s South Bank was transformed into the Emerald City.
The film, an adaptation of the stage musical which tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, is set to be released in both the UK and the US this Friday (November 22).
Reacting to the movie, resource editor for Collider, Nate Richard wrote: “I was not looking forward to Wicked. I’m not typically a fan at all of Ariana Grande. I walked in thinking I’d be proven right. I was wrong. What a fantastic movie. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are phenomenal. The ultimate crowd-pleaser of 2024. I’m not joking.”
I was not looking forward to #Wicked. I’m not typically a fan at all of Ariana Grande. I walked in thinking I’d be proven right.
I was wrong. What a fantastic movie. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are phenomenal. The ultimate crowd-pleaser of 2024.
I’m not joking. pic.twitter.com/CxgbiswqCC
— Nate Richard (@NateKnowsMovies) November 18, 2024
Rotten Tomatoes critic, Peter Gray agreed. “Wicked (Part One) is an absolute treat! Cynthia Erivo’s stunning emotional depth and Ariana Grande’s award-worthy brilliance shine. The vibrant, thrilling visuals captivate, promising a treat for theatre fans – though the necessity of its split remains unclear until Part Two,” he said.
#Wicked (Part One) is an absolute treat! Cynthia Erivo’s stunning emotional depth and Ariana Grande’s award-worthy brilliance shine. The vibrant, thrilling visuals captivate, promising a treat for theatre fans – though the necessity of its split remains unclear until Part Two. pic.twitter.com/9kJp7Tn9ps
— Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) November 17, 2024
CBR critic Ashley Saunders also described the movie as “visually stunning”.
She added: “WICKED is visually stunning as it transports you to the magic of Oz. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo make the parts their own, with a great chemistry as they musically spar. Fun surprises, beautiful costumes, it’s sure to defy gravity & be a massive hit.”
WICKED is visually stunning as it transports you to the magic of Oz. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo make the parts their own, with a great chemistry as they musically spar. Fun surprises, beautiful costumes, it’s sure to defy gravity & be a massive hit. #WickedMovie pic.twitter.com/5k4xihNZ2H
— Ashley Saunders (@ThatAshleyErin) November 18, 2024
Elsewhere, Gabay Jonathan singled out Ariana Grande’s performance and said he was “blown away by the entire movie”.
“Ariana Grande was not cast in Wicked She was BORN to be in Wicked Absolutely blown away by the entire movie. Very rare that a movie exceeds the hype,” he continued.
Ariana Grande was not cast in Wicked
She was BORN to be in Wicked
Absolutely blown away by the entire movie.
Very rare that a movie exceeds the hype
Let’s get award season started pic.twitter.com/avdAnDb4Ei— GabayJonathan (@GabayJonathan) November 19, 2024
You can read more reactions below:
Wicked is the most powerful film I’ve ever watched. I cried at every moment. The reason Twitter doesn’t like it, is because the main message of the film is antibullying. Goodnight.
— jorja THEE chin (@JorjaDouglas) November 18, 2024
Me a year ago: “Reslly? Ariana Grande in #Wicked ? Idk…. Does she reslly have the acting chops?”
Me tonight: “Wicked is a near perfect movie and Ariana Grande is maybe the best thing about it. Holy shit she’s so good! Is she gonna win the Oscar?” pic.twitter.com/3nN2GPu0MO
— mktoon (@mktoon) November 19, 2024
#Wicked is a winner, featuring dazzling sets and fantastic musical numbers, plus two stellar lead performances. There’s multiple best-of-the-year sequences in the film too. Left the theater with chills from head to toe. As someone who has never seen the play, I loved this. pic.twitter.com/gtxXrBoBgz
— Ben (Meter) (@metersreviews) November 19, 2024
Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba is so singular and beautiful. She should absolutely be in the awards convo as well. Also the PIPES!!!! #Wicked #WickedMovie pic.twitter.com/NzQPT5ULKH
— adam
(@apat10) November 18, 2024
Every musical sequence in WICKED feels like an all-timer as the choreography and vocals work perfectly in sync for satisfying storytelling, the addition of the new putto’s and interludes up the emotional stakes allowing a blend of music and talking to unravel this saga. pic.twitter.com/sXAWKyMskS
— Jillian
(@JillianChili) November 19, 2024
#WICKED: it was funny, it was sad, it was WICKEDly good. I had very high expectations and they did not match them… they exceeded my expectations. Ariana Grande was fabulous and Cynthia was magical too. pic.twitter.com/CXvXtx5Mya
— mazzy (@mazzypopstar) November 19, 2024
After the global domination of ‘Barbenheimer’ in the summer of 2023, film fans are looking forward to the phenomenon of ‘Glicked’ when Wicked goes up against Gladiator 2 in the US later this week.
Both movies are set to take the box office by storm in the coming days when they are simultaneously released much like Barbie and Oppenheimer last year.
According to Deadline, Jon M. Chu’s Wicked and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 are set to pull in huge takings on their openings with the former expected to pull in over $80million (£62.8million) and the latter $65million (£51million) domestically.
Wicked is also expected to be popular with women while Gladiator 2 is set to pull in men and also older women.
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