When I was young and full of bliss, my family and I would visit the movie theater after Thanksgiving dinner to watch that year’s blockbuster. Life happens, traditions end and holidays are not what they used to be. This year, I decided to revive the tradition by spending Thanksgiving night at my local Regal theater.
The double feature phenomenon of “Barbenheimer” dominated 2023, with “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” creating one of the most talked-about cultural moments of the year. When “Gladiator II” and “Wicked” were announced for the same release date in 2024, the internet began speculating about whether it would replicate that frenzy. While cinephiles may have indulged in both movies on the same day, the “Wicked” rollout stole the spotlight with a stronger media presence and press tour.
With a runtime rivaling “Oppenheimer,” I knew “Wicked” would be an experience. Its buzz, controversies and discourse online in the weeks leading up to the release cemented its place in pop culture. From debates about “Defying Gravity,” Ariana Grande’s relationship with co-star Ethan Slater and Cynthia Erivo’s commentary on AI-generated posters, the chatter was inescapable.
Meanwhile, “Gladiator II” boasted an impressive cast, including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen. While the sequel likely delivered high-octane action, Wicked delivered wonder and award-worthy vocals.
Walking into the theater, I felt a nostalgic excitement. Much like the “Barbie” phenomenon, where audiences dressed in pink, Wicked fans embraced the theme. I wore green and pink and the theater greeter immediately knew which film I was there to see.
Social media amplified the energy of “Wicked’s” release, with fans dressing in “Wizard of Oz”-themed outfits and paying homage to the musical’s iconic imagery. Journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist’s phrase “holding space for ‘Defying Gravity’” resonated deeply with this communal experience.
A friend of mine who works at a theater in North Carolina told me their local buzz leaned more toward “Gladiator II.” Living in a military town, it made sense. My perception of “Wicked’s” dominance is likely shaped by my environment and online timelines.
As someone who learned about “Wicked” through “Glee” rather than Broadway, I had concerns. Could I sit through a nearly three-hour musical? Would the theater erupt into sing-alongs? Could I enjoy the movie without extensive background knowledge?
Nobody sang in the theater and I left feeling exhilarated and eager for the sequel.
I thought “Wicked” was the movie of the year. I loved everything about it and didn’t want it to end—thankfully, there’s a part two. Surprisingly, it didn’t even feel like an almost three-hour-long movie. From the acting and vocals to the PR campaign, “Wicked” defied expectations for how a blockbuster movie should be released.
I’m not a film scholar, but the coloring and cinematography were stunning. The soundtrack has been stuck in my head since the credits rolled. It was a great way to spend my Thanksgiving night, sparking conversations about the “Wizard of Oz” references sprinkled throughout the film. Now, I’ll spend the next year avoiding spoilers for “Wicked: Part 2.”
Musicals are usually hard for me to watch because I feel like the dialogue would be better without being sung. However, “Wicked’s” soundtrack made me a fan of the musical. Maybe now I’ll watch the original Broadway performance, and I could even be convinced to explore more musicals.
Grande and Erivo’s performances gave me a fresh perspective on “The Wizard of Oz,” transporting me back to the carefree wonder of my youth. This Thanksgiving tradition has returned and I will be counting down the days until “Wicked Part 2” graces theaters next year.
