Smash hit musical Wicked will be available to stream for a premium price this week ahead of a physical media release in February.
Not too many Broadway musicals have had the impact that Wicked has had over the last 20 years or so. With a book by Winnie Holzman based on Gregory Maguire’s novel and taking place both before and around the events of L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz and its iconic 1939 film adaptation, the story follows Elphaba Thropp, a girl born with green skin who will become the Wicked Witch of the West.
She accompanies her paraplegic sister, Nessarose, to Shiz University. On arrival, she accidentally unleashes a burst of magic, attracting the attention of Madame Morrible, who enrols her at the school and forces popular socialite Galinda to share her room, sparking a mutual loathing between the girls. This covers the majority of part one, to reveal any more would be to spoil the second act/film.
What really makes Wicked shine are the glorious songs by Stephen Schwartz. In Part One alone are ridiculously catchy songs like The Wizard and I, What Is This Feeling and Dancing Through Life – but it is Defying Gravity that will forever be associated with Wicked, the showstopper that ends act one (and Part One of the film adaptation). A triumphant, ebullient celebration of individuality and an incredible showcase for the vocals of whoever is playing Elphaba.
The film adaptation has been mooted since 2004, but it took until 2021 for Jon M Chu to be hired as director. He cast Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda respectively, with Jonathan Bailey as the dashing Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq and Marissa Bode as Nessarose. Holzman co-wrote the screenplay with Dana Fox, while Schwartz adapted his songs for the screen and composed the score with John Powell.
The film has been a huge success so far, taking over $600 million on a budget of $150 million.
It is perhaps no surprise that Universal is looking for ways to make even more money from the film. Various cinemas are now hosting singalong screenings, and we now have details about a home release.
You will be able to rent Wicked at home for the premium price of £19.99 from today as well.
A DVD, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray release will follow on the 4th February. You can pre-order here.
The second part, which is now called Wicked: For Good, will be released in UK cinemas on the 21st November 2025.
