Wicked first reactions call film a 'musical masterpiece,' praise Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

The very first reactions to Jon M. Chu’s epic Wicked have arrived, and it’s already clear that the movie is going to be popular among both critics and fans.  

On Wednesday, a collection of journalists took to social media to sing their praises about the movie musical, which is the first installment of a two-part film adaptation based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel and its Tony award-winning musical. The film follows the burgeoning friendship between two polar opposite witches named Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) as they attend Shiz University together. 

Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, Peter Dinklage, and more round out the musical’s magical ensemble, with Goldblum notably playing the Wonderful Wizard of Oz himself. A sequel, currently titled Wicked Part Two, will complete their tale when it soars into theaters next year. 

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Critics made it clear that they were impressed by Erivo and Grande’s performances in the film, with many also praising Chu’s solid direction and the film’s gorgeous costumes and production design. 

“The world is not ready for how great @wickedmovie is. Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande have gifted us a musical masterpiece that is much more than we could have ever expected,” wrote Variety editor Jazz Tangcay. “Ariana & Cynthia will blow you away. The production design and costumes are a visual spectacle.” 

Clayton Davis, a senior awards editor at the outlet, similarly shouted out Grande and Erivo. “Galinda is the role Ariana Grande was born to play. Perfectly suited and genuinely a hilarious, scene-stealing performance,” he wrote. “Cynthia Erivo's heavenly vocals allow her to make Elphaba her own. The team of artisans assembled by Jon M. Chu all put their signature touches. Very excited to see what they do with Part 2.”

Vanity Fair writer Chris Murphy called the film “a complete and utter slay” that he believes has the potential to win big on the awards circuit. “I really hope the industry takes this film seriously as the massive achievement that it is,” he wrote. “Jon Chu IS a musical genius and the world he creates and the performances he captures are really next level. It's giving best movie musical since Chicago and that one went all the way honey.”

Writer Simon Thompson noted that while the film “perhaps won’t convert many anti-musical folks,” fans of the genre and Wicked were bound to be pleased by the final product. “#WickedMovie is an Oz-some spectacle that pops and enchants on the big screen,” he added. “An absolutely stunning vision. Leads Erivo and Grande knock it out of the park.” 

And Variety film reporter Katcy Stephan discussed Chu’s decision to split the project into two separate films. “I was 'pessimistical' going in, but...WICKED is a masterpiece. Ariana Grande makes Glinda sparkle: she milks every moment with gusto, humor and hair flips,” she wrote. “Jon M. Chu added so much new life to the story that I can see why it needed to be 2 parts! Well worth the 20-year wait.”

Wicked dances its way into theaters on Nov. 22. Scroll on to read more critics reactions below.