When Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked landed on Broadway, in 2003, the musical won three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and a Grammy. The long-awaited film adaptation appears to be on the same track. Filling the shoes of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (who played Elphaba and Galinda in the original stage production) are the Tony Award-winning Cynthia Erivo and the pop singer Ariana Grande, who are already receiving rave reviews for their performances. The film is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), whose dazzling visual effects and vibrant sets bring the magical land of Oz to life. Nine million tulips were planted for one scene! No less spectacular are the musical sequences, from Grande’s bubblegum bop “Popular” to Erivo’s earthshaking ballad “Defying Gravity.” Throw in Peter Dinklage playing a goat, and you have all the ingredients for a splendid musical fantasy. And this is only the first half of the story. —Paulina Prosnitz