First trailer for Wicked defies gravity as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bring the magic

The trailer for the Wicked movie is here as it debuts during the Super Bowl, and it sees Cynthia Erivo defying gravity.

This marks the first major look at the epic musical adaptation, aside from some early stills, as the trailer introduces its two leading witches, Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Charting their unlikely friendship that develops at Shiz University, the musical acts as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, with the film being divided into two parts.

The trailer gives us some insight into director Jon M. Chu’s epic scale, showcasing Erivo's incredible pipes in the musical's most popular song, "Defying Gravity" and bringing the world of Oz to life in a way not seen on screen since the 1939 film. Grande makes her debut as Glinda, donning the famous pink Good Witch gown, with Erivo putting on that classic black Wicked Witch hat. We also get our first look at Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Michelle Yeo as Madame Morrible. Ethan Slater's Boq is noticeably absent.

"It's the Wizard who should be afraid of me," Elphaba tells Glinda. The two veer off into different directions, with Glinda becoming enamored with power and Elphaba determined to stay true to herself. The movie is mainly an adaptation of the hit musical that has enjoyed long runs on both the West End and Broadway, but it also draws on the book that inspired it by Gregory Maguire. If you've seen the Judy Garland-led film... you already know how this ends. Still, we can't wait for what's going to be a truly breathtaking, gut-wrenching movie musical.

Filming recently wrapped on both movies, with Chu sharing an update via Instagram. "Thank you to the massive crew and cast and @universalpictures pictures for supporting the most ambitious cinematic production I have ever been a part of or, frankly, ever witnessed," he wrote. "We built real Munchkinland! A multi-level Shiz University Campus! I walked and shopped in a real Emerald City and met the actual Wizard head that moved in realtime!"

Wicked: Part One is scheduled to release in theaters on November 11th 2024. Check out what else is also coming your way with our guide to the most exciting upcoming movies.

And that trailer wasn’t the only new look that debuted at the 2024 Super Bowl either, with Twisters, Deadpool 3, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes also landing.

Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

With contributions from
Read more
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked
Wicked: For Good release date, cast, story, and everything else you need to know about Wicked Part 2
Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked
When is Wicked out on streaming?
Rachel Zegler as Snow White
First reactions for Snow White live-action remake praise a "stunning" Rachel Zegler and "show-stopping" new musical numbers
Upcoming movies: Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie
Upcoming movies: The most exciting new movies coming in 2025
The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer
The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer proves the Marvel movie will be like nothing we've seen before in the MCU – and I couldn't be happier
David Corenswet as Superman in first look at James Gunn's new movie
Superman release date, trailer, cast, and everything you need to know about the new movie
Latest in Musicals
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda in Wicked
Wicked: For Good release date, cast, story, and everything else you need to know about Wicked Part 2
Rock DJ scene from Better Man
The viral 'Rock DJ' clip from new musical Better Man is one of the year's best scenes – which is not what I was expecting from the Robbie Williams CGI monkey biopic
Young Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King first reactions call it the "perfect prequel" and "a story that deserves to be told"
Wicked
Wicked ending explained: Easter eggs, cameos, differences to the Broadway musical, and more
Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked
Wicked director says he knew he'd captured movie magic with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on the very first day of shooting
Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked
When is Wicked out on streaming?
Latest in News
Razer Freyja back cushions
Dune: Awakening will launch with full Razer Sensa HD haptics
Seth Rogen in The Studio
New Apple TV show with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes teases all its cameos, including Martin Scorsese and Zac Efron
Giovanni and Mewtwo from Pokemon Destined Rivals
Team Rocket is blasting off again in new Pokemon TCG expansion, Destined Rivals
Jack Reynor in Midsommar
Midsommar star cast in new Mummy movie, but still no word from the original stars
Animal Well screenshot, captured on PC
After his excellent debut Metroidvania took 7 years, Animal Well's solo dev says his next game shouldn't "take nearly as long"
Screenshots from Tekken: The Board Game teaser trailer
I hope your affairs are in order, because Bandai Namco just dropped Tekken: The Board Game