This weekend, I took my kids (ages 14, 12, and 7) to see Wicked, and let me just say—it was incredible. The music? Absolutely amazing. It brought the magic of the Broadway classic to life in a way that had us all hooked. My older kids loved every second of it, and even my 7-year-old was mesmerized by the songs and the colorful world of Oz. That said, I have to be honest—it’s a long one, so if you’re thinking of going, make sure to plan ahead!
If you are not familiar with the story of Wicked, it first hit Broadway in 2003 and quickly became one of the most popular musicals of all time. It’s based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, which reimagines the world of The Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch’s perspective. The story gives a whole new spin on Elphaba (the “Wicked” Witch) and Glinda (the Good Witch), exploring their unlikely friendship and the events that shaped them before Dorothy ever dropped into Oz.
With that being said, if you don’t already know, this is not your typical Disney princess movie. Despite the heavy marketing toward younger kids, Wicked has a serious, complex story that might be hard for most little ones to follow. At a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes long (not including 25 minutes of ads and previews), it’s a commitment. Younger kids, especially those under 5, will likely struggle with the length and depth of the story. I wouldn’t recommend it for kids under 5, as it’s just too much for them to sit through and fully enjoy.
My 7-year-old enjoyed the music and visuals but still found it lengthy, asking several times when it would be over. Around us, plenty of kids and adults were sneaking out for quick bathroom breaks, so plan for this. Use the previews as your bathroom window or be prepared for a mid-movie dash.
Also, surprise! Wicked is only Part 1! My kids were completely caught off guard when the movie ended with a “to be continued.” But honestly, it turned into a fun family moment. None of my kids know the full story, so we spent the car ride home sharing wild conspiracy theories about what might happen next. It was fun watching them connect the dots from the movie to The Wizard of Oz, spotting Easter eggs like the flying monkeys, ruby slippers, and other nods to the family classic.
The story itself is super engaging, but there are darker moments. My youngest wasn’t truly scared but definitely noticed the shift in tone, especially when the flying monkeys appeared. She leaned over and said, “It’s about to get scary,” which might be something to prepare for, if you have sensitive kiddos.
We usually check Common Sense Media for guidance. Their review for Wicked suggests it’s best for ages 10 and up, and I think that’s spot-on. My 14- and 12-year-olds were completely invested, but younger kids will miss a lot of the character development and deeper storylines. Overall, it is still enjoyable for the younger ones but they likely won’t fully appreciate it.
My Takeaways
If your family loves musicals or the world of Oz, Wicked is a must-see. It’s visually stunning, the music is unforgettable, and there’s plenty to love for older kids and adults. Just know that it’s a bit of a marathon—expect to commit at least 3 hours to the theater.
Overall, Wicked is magical, just be sure to plan ahead, adjust expectations, and enjoy the show!
Our beloved local theatre, The Grandin Theatre, is showing Wicked and we think they have the BEST popcorn in town.
*Disclaimer: The original ideas, insights, and creative direction of this content are mine. However, I utilized ChatGPT for assistance in refining, enhancing, and polishing the text to improve readability and flow.
