The Broadway adaptation of “Wicked” dropped into theaters globally this past weekend, premiering with $164 million in ticket sales. While the film is an adapted version of the Broadway musical, the musical is originally based on the 1995 novel, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” by Gregory Maguire, which was based on the novel and 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The film follows characters Elphaba, more commonly known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda, more commonly known as Glinda the Good Witch of the North, in their journey as friends in the time before Dorothy drops in.

“I think they dived into Glinda’s and Elphaba’s friendship [very well],” said Addison Reusch, a Wadsworth High School senior. “They did a good job on that.”

The best character in the film is Galinda, played by Ariana Grande. Grande perfectly portrayed Galinda, effortlessly representing her through song, choreography and emotion. Without Grande, the film would not have held up the same.

The most impactful scene in the film is the opening scene where Grande and the ensemble sing “No One Mourns the Wicked.” While viewers will not understand the full gravity of the scene until the second part of the film premieres, the emotion shown by Galinda is enough to understand the trials her character goes through throughout the course of the story, which makes the scene so good.

“After I saw the movie, I was literally astonished,” said Ava Porchowsky, a sophomore at Wadsworth High School. “Their voices, Ariana’s and Cynthia’s voices just tune so well together and it just sounds so beautiful.”

The best song in the soundtrack is “The Wizard And I.” The song captivates the beginning stages of believing in something and dreaming of what could be. The song itself helps bind the story of “Wicked” together, as the song will help to portray contrast to later parts in the film. Cynthia Erivo sings the song flawlessly, giving the song more emotion and gravity than just the song alone.

“The movie is like three hours long, but it really only feels like an hour because it just traps you in,” Porchowsky said. “That is how good it is.”

Overall, the film is absolutely perfect, down to the last brick in the Yellow Brick Road. From the acting, to the singing, to the choreography, to the set and costume design, the film is a perfect representation of what films are when done right.

The second part of “Wicked” premieres in theaters on Nov. 21, 2025.