7 Things 'Wicked: For Good' Does Better Than the Stage Show

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in costume with a background of Oz on the poster for Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

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Spoiler Alert: This list contains spoilers for Wicked: For Good"I'm off to see the Wizard." Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda the Good's (Ariana Grande-Butera) story continues in Wicked: For Good. Primarily based on Act II from the original Wicked production on Broadway, the second installment in Jon M. Chu's Ozian reimagining takes place years after Elphaba discovers that The Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) is nothing more than a con man who kidnaps innocent animals. With more and more animals in danger, Elphaba decides to face the Wizard head-on — even if it means risking her life to go into enemy territory.

Compared to Act I (the Broadway source material for the first Wicked movie), Act II is notorious for being much shorter in terms of story. Despite having equally emotional songs like "No Good Deed" and "For Good," it doesn't have the same gravitas as "Defying Gravity." To deliver the same depth as its predecessor, Wicked: For Good has taken certain creative liberties that might differ from the actual play — some of which do wonders for the movie. Without further ado, here are the things Wicked: For Good does better than the stage musical.

1 Glinda's Childhood Flashback

Scarlett Spears as Young Glinda talking to someone off-camera in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Despite being one of the most popular students at Shiz, Glinda lacks one crucial ability: magic. Per Ozian lore, Glinda the Good is supposed to be the most powerful sorceress in the Land of Oz. In Wicked: For Good, assisted by Madam Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), Glinda fakes her sorcery with a pink bubble-forming contraption and a pink wand to really sell her act.

The stage musical makes no mention of her inability to conjure up spells or the reason behind it. Meanwhile, in Wicked: For Good, viewers are shown a flashback to Glinda's childhood. At her birthday party, she received a magic wand. Pressured by her friends to perform magic, it becomes clearer that she either doesn't have it in her or she might be a late bloomer. This background story explains why Glinda is so reliant on people liking her. If she can't cast spells, she might as well try to win people's hearts.

2 Nessarose's Toxic Relationship With Boq

Marissa Bode as Nessarose with a serious expression looking at someone off-camera in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

It's understandable why Nessarose (Marissa Bode) despises Elphaba. After the chaos her sister caused at the end of the first Wicked movie, their father passed away from utter shock and embarrassment. The once meek Nessarose is forced to fill her father's shoes. With Elphaba gone and a heart full of hatred, she rules Munchkinland with an iron fist.

In both Wicked: For Good and the stage musical, it's obvious that Boq (Ethan Slater) has always preferred Glinda over Nessarose. To make sure he always sticks by her, Nessarose has Boq working for her. But in the movie, Nessarose takes it a step further by imposing a last-minute travel ban on all the Munchkins, hindering Boq from professing his feelings to Glinda. It's a complete switch from the bumbling Nessarose audiences were first introduced to in Wicked. Through her one-sided relationship with Boq, she becomes a tyrant.

3 Elphaba "Saves" Nessarose With the Grimmerie

Nessarosa (Marissa Bode) flying in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Elphaba finally visits Nessarose after all these years. However, her arrival isn't wholeheartedly welcomed by her governor sister. Nessarose is frustrated with Elphaba's need to save the abducted animals. It's also especially ironic that Elphaba is more focused on helping other people with her Grimmerie, but never once has she thought of using it to "cure" Nessarose.

In the stage version, Elphaba's spell gives Nessarose the ability to finally walk. However, Wicked: For Good takes a more sensitive and considerate approach to ensure they remain respectful of Nessarose's (and Bode's) physical disability. Instead of walking, Elphaba grants Nessarose the ability to fly.

4 The Wizard's "Wonderful" Scene

Elphaba, Glinda, and the Wizard dance beneath a mechanical wizard head in "Wonderful" in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

Everything's wonderful in the Emerald City! At least that's what The Wizard proclaims. The stage musical features a solo act by The Wizard himself. When Elphaba confronts him in his lair, The Wizard tries to sweet-talk his way into her heart. Through his "powers" of song and tap dance, he sings and dances about what a wonderful life the two would have together if Elphaba had joined him instead.

Compared to the stage musical, which feels much more bare and stationary, Wicked: For Good has a more vivid portrayal of the performance. Plus, they're also joined by Glinda, who also urges Elphaba to stop fighting and be part of their wonderful plans. As Elphaba finally reunites with Glinda, for a moment, everything feels alright. But that happiness is quickly short-lived when Elphaba discovers a dark secret in the corner of The Wizard's lair.

5 Madam Morrible Kills Nessarose

Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) conjures up a tornado in 'Wicked: For Good.'Image via Universal Pictures

Nobody can whip up a storm better than Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). Wicked: For Good not only continues Elphaba's quest to save the animals — but it also introduces their crossover with the characters from The Wizard of Oz. After Elphaba frees the animals and escapes with Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), The Wizard completely loses all trace of the green witch. A heartbroken Glinda nonchalantly mentions to "use her sister" if they want to get their hands on Elphaba.

Madame Morrible does more than just use Nessarose — she literally kills her. In the stage musical, Nessarose's death isn't portrayed. The play immediately shows her body under the rubble of a house, which Madame Morrible brought by summoning a tornado (yes, she's responsible for bringing Dorothy to the Land of Oz). In Wicked: For Good, not only do viewers watch Madame Morrible put her magic to work, but they also watch the house crush Nessarose flat, revealing the film's darker tone.

6 Elphaba and Glinda's Fight Scene

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo talking outdoors in Oz in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

At the site of Nessarose's death, Elphaba and Glinda finally face each other after their bitter encounter at The Wizard's lair. A grieving Elphaba accuses Madame Morrible of murdering her sister, but Glinda couldn't care less. If anything, she's mad about Elphaba "stealing" Fiyero from Glinda. Words aren't enough to attack each other — the two on-and-off friends end up throwing hands.

The stage musical takes a more animated, cartoonish approach to its fight scene. Glinda makes all sorts of kung fu-like noises and swings her wand in different motions. Their "fight" involves two of them grabbing each other's shoulders and pushing each other. It feels more like a skit from Saturday Night Live — which makes sense, as that scene is supposed to be the play's brief comedic moment. Wicked: For Good also has the same playfulness, but their fight is more polished and better choreographed.

7 Elphaba and Glinda's Improvised Farewell

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande look at something off camera in dim light in Wicked: For Good.Image via Universal Pictures

Elphaba and Glinda's farewell doesn't come as a shock. Still, despite the predictable outcome, the chemistry between the two characters doesn't fail to turn viewers into a puddle of tears. Over the years, the stage musical has seen many Elphabas and Glindas take the stage. Although they have their own interpretations of their goodbyes, one thing is the same on stage: their farewell is rushed — understandable, since a horde of Ozians is storming in to kill Elphaba.

Wicked: For Good takes its time instead. In an ad-libbed scene courtesy of Erivo and Grande, Elphaba pushes Glinda into a closet to hide her. After Elphaba and Glinda tearfully exchange "I love you" for the first and final time, Elphaba closes the closet door. Instead of leaving, Elphaba is seen leaning on the closet, crying her heart out. On the opposite side, Glinda does the same. It's a testament to not just the bond shared by the two characters, but also the actresses themselves.

Like Follow Followed Wicked: For Good PG Drama Fantasy Romance 8 10 Release Date November 21, 2025 Runtime 137 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Writers Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire

Cast

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Cynthia Erivo Elphaba
Ariana Grande Glinda

Producers Marc Platt, David Stone Prequel(s) Wicked Genres Drama, Fantasy, Romance Main Genre Fantasy Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions, Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Executive Producer(s) David Nicksay, Dana Fox, Jared LeBoff, Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman Powered by

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Wicked: For Good
Cynthia Erivo

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