‘Wicked’ Movie Gets Surprising Movie Rating

Universal’s big Thanksgiving movie event, Wicked (2024), starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the beloved pair of witches Elphaba and Glinda, has just received its film rating.

Over two decades ago, a group of creatives debuted the untold story of the Witches of Oz on stage. Examining the world of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” (1900) and taking inspiration from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 “Wicked” novel, the musical Wicked explored Oz before Dorothy dropped in, primarily focusing on the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West.

While Maguire’s novel had already been on shelves for eight years, Wicked‘s arrival in 2003 catapulted Elphaba Thropp and Galinda Upland–better known as simply Elphaba and Glinda–into household name status.

Directed by Joe Mantello, with choreography by Wayne Cilento and stunning designs by Eugene Lee and Susan Hilferty, Wicked quickly became a Broadway sensation. Its blend of jaw-dropping visuals, emotional depth, and a universally relatable story made it a massive hit and defining musical of the 2000s, grossing over $5 billion globally.

With Stephen Schwartz’s unforgettable score, including hits like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” and Winnie Holzman’s witty book, Wicked tells a complex story of power, prejudice, and friendship in a magical world. The original cast, featuring powerhouse performances from Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda), helped launch the show into musical theater history.

The musical has been running on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre since October 30, 2003, and soon it will entertain a whole new generation when the first of a two-part movie series hits screens in November.

Wicked (also known as Wicked–Part 1) will take its theatrical bow ahead of Thanksgiving week on November 22, following its global premiere in London on November 18. While initially conceived as just one movie, Jon M. Chu’s film was officially split into two halves in 2022. The second part will land a year later, in November 2025.

Wicked‘s arrival on the big screen marks a huge milestone for the hugely popular musical and, following the trailer release and subsequent promos featuring Erivo and Grande has continued to drum up anticipation and excitement.

New information has now surfaced regarding Universal Pictures’ big tentpole movie. Film Ratings has issued news that Wicked will be given a PG rating for its theatrical release.

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This is surprising in some respects but not in others. The stage production has an age guidance of eight on Broadway and 7+ on London’s West End, where it has run since late 2006. If ratings were issued similarly to films, this would make it a PG show.

On the other hand, the PG certification is surprising, considering how dark Wicked can be.

“This rating may be surprising because many had thought the Wicked film would be PG-13 when it was released,” The Direct reported. “The Wicked story tackles some fairly dark and mature subject matter, making many assume it would have a similarly mature rating – especially given that the Wicked movie will have plenty of time to dip into those darker themes because it is being split into two full-length movies.”

The official trailer already shows that Wicked will explore unknown regions—at least when it comes to the version of the story the stage show tells.

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A young Elphaba is seen in some sections of the trailer, suggesting that a deeper exploration of the green witch’s younger years will be explored. The stage show jumps from Elphaba’s birth through to her arrival at Shiz University and first meeting with the likes of Glinda and Madam Morrible (played by Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh in the upcoming movie).

Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum (Kaos) as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Ethan Slater (SpongeBob SquarePants) as Boq, and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as Doctor Dillamond also star in the movie.

Wicked is one of Broadway’s most iconic shows, captivating audiences since its 2003 premiere, so it’s certain that Wicked‘s movie release comes with lofty expectations. It will also go up against Gladiator II (2024) at the box office, with star Paul Mescal voicing support for “Glicked”: a play on both the movie titles in the hope of replicating the success of the cultural phenomenon, “Barbenheimer” from last year.

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Wicked‘s impact extends beyond its box-office success. It resonates deeply with audiences, offering a fresh take on familiar characters while delivering powerful messages about identity, courage, and the blurred lines between good and evil. After two decades, it remains a staple of musical theater, solidifying its place as one of Broadway’s greatest achievements–and could soon also be ranked as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time…

Are you looking forward to seeing Wicked this November? Let us know in the comments down below!