For Good’ Safe for Kids? Here’s What Parents Should Know

Wicked: For Good has brought the Tony-winning musical to a new generation of viewers, but is it suitable for children?

Nearly one year after the release of Wicked, part two of the Jon M. Chu-directed stage-to-screen adaptation officially hits theaters on Nov. 21. The sequel follows a similar plot to the second act of the Broadway musical, picking up with Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) having been deemed the enemy of Oz, a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West, and chronicling Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) transformation into Glinda the Good.

Although it’s a musical, Wicked: For Good is rated PG for action/violence, some suggestive material and thematic material. As fans of the musical know, there is plenty of drama and intense (and sometimes frightening!) moments woven between the hit songs.

So, is Wicked: For Good appropriate for kids? Here’s what parents should know before bringing their children to watch the musical movie.

Warning: Wicked: For Good spoilers ahead.

There is violence and fighting, but no gore

The movie depicts violence and fighting from the very start, often between Elphaba and the many people seemingly out to get her. At one point, Glinda and Elphaba get into a fight and slap each other, leading them to tackle each other onto the ground. However, despite all of the fighting, there is no gore throughout the film.

Meanwhile, the animals of Oz are doing forced labor and locked in cages, which might be upsetting to children.

There are several guns and weapons

As can be expected, a lot of violence also means plenty of weapons. Early on in the movie, soldiers helping to build the yellow brick road attempt to shoot Elphaba down, and guns are drawn in several scenes to follow.

At one point, Glinda puts her forehead against the barrel of a gun being pointed at her by Fiyero. However, there are no fatalities by gun.

There is kissing and an implied sex scene, but no explicit nudity

Although it’s not at the center of the story, romance is a major plot line throughout the film. After forming a connection in Wicked, Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Glinda share some romantic kisses in Wicked: For Good. They get engaged and make their way to the altar, but chaos ensues when the animals Elphaba freed burst into the wedding ceremony.

As Elphaba prepares to leave Oz, Fiyero chooses to go with her. While Glinda feels betrayed from their relationship, there aren’t any explicit signs of infidelity.

Fiyero and Elphaba then spark a romance and perform a steamy duet to “As Long As You’re Mine.” After sharing a sultry kiss, the scene jumps to them waking up under blankets. While there is no explicit nudity, Fiyero is shirtless under the covers after they spent the night together.

There are dangerous spells cast

With wizardry, comes plenty of spells. After Nessarose (Marissa Bode) attempted — though failed — to cast a love spell on Boq (Ethan Slater), the munchkin’s heart begins to shrink. In an attempt to save him, Elphaba casts another spell that ultimately turns him into a Tin Man. It’s a rather intense process that leaves Nessarose in distress and the Tin Man in anger, which could be frightening and upsetting for small children.

Later in the film, Fiyero is turned into a scarecrow by Elphaba after his own near-death experience, when the soldiers dragged him away and tied him to a post.

There is a “natural” disaster

In a ploy to get Elphaba to return to Oz so she can be captured, Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) decides the only way that will bring her back is to make her think her sister, Nessarose, is in danger.

Shortly after, a natural disaster ensues in the form of a tornado, which results in the destruction of several homes.

There are many discussions of death and killing

Wicked: For Good’s plot focuses heavily on Madame Morrible, the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) and the rest of the town’s mission to kill Elphaba. As fans of the first movie might remember, “the Wicked Witch is dead!” becomes the central through line that ties together the timelines.

On several occasions, Madame Morrible leads the people of Oz to believe that Elphaba is evil and wants to “kill us all.”

In the end, the whole town is led to believe that she died, including Glinda, who saw Dorothy melt her to death — or so she thought. It’s later revealed that she is still alive, though the only one who knows is Fiyero.

Elphaba’s death isn’t the only one explored in the film. Early on in the movie, it’s revealed that her father died, though the cause is explained as dying of “shame.” Meanwhile, the tornado leads to a house falling onto Nessarose, resulting in her death.