Wicked: For Good (PG)

Magic, courage, and the power of friendship ignite this spellbinding finale that brings Elphaba and Glinda’s journey to a thundering close.

Elphaba, now the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, hides in exile while fighting for the freedom of Oz’s silenced Animals, while Glinda revels in the perks of fame and glamour as the city’s beloved new symbol of good. Under Madame Morrible’s watchful eye, Glinda tries to mediate between Elphaba and the Wizard, but escalating tensions push them further apart. As the kingdom teeters on the brink, Fiyero, Boq, Nessarose, and even a girl from Kansas are drawn into a tornado of loyalty, love, and long-suppressed truths.

Superior to Act Two on stage, the film builds out the world and delivers an emotional gut punch. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver career-high performances, capturing every nuance of their characters’ emotions, while the new songs “There’s No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” soar with memorable energy.

Already generating strong awards buzz and poised to follow in its predecessor’s footsteps at the Oscars, it’s a triumphant, heart-stirring conclusion.