The Wizard of Ozremains among the most wonderful cinematic spectacles in history, and has led to its own franchise of sorts. While the landmark fantasy film is based on the book by Frank L. Baum, the 2003 hit Broadway MusicalWickedis based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. The story featured inWickeddiffers from the original Baum tale and diverges fromOz the Great and Powerful, the 2013 Sam Raimi film that received mediocre reviews. In the simplest terms, while both are origin stories of sorts,Wickedfocuses on the origin story of the Wicked Witch from the West, whileOz the Great Powerfulconcentrates on the so-called Wizard’s rise to prominence.
With the first film in Jon M. Chu’s two-partWickedmovie musical released to fanfare on August 25, 2025, leading to 10 Oscar nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, it’s an opportune time to crystallize the differences betweenWickedandOz the Greatand the Powerfulas they relate toThe Wizard of Oz’slegacy. Apart from the apparent differences between one film being a musical and the other being an adventure, the narrative beats and rich characterizations in both origin stories are worth exploring in greater detail. Here are the main differences betweenWickedandOz the Great and Powerful.
What Is ‘Wicked’ About?
Gregory Maguire’s revisionist novel, 1995’sWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,was adapted as a Broadway musical in 2003. The production became a massive hit, adaptingFrank L. Baum’s originalWizard of Oznovel as loose inspiration to tell the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West.The new musical movieWicked,directed by Jon M. Chu, is a big-screen adaptation of the Broadway sensation and focuses expressly on the Witch’s backstory.
Wickedrevolves around the complexrelationship between best friendsElphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Galinda (Ariana Grande) in the Land of Oz, who later become known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. As Elphaba and Galinda come of age and into their own, their friendship is tested when they begin vying for the affection of the same lover. The story occurs before and after Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz from her Kansas farmland and goes on an adventure with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Once Elphaba and Galinda grow apart due to their differing personalities and worldviews, the story shifts focus from the Wicked Witch’s rise to power to her ultimate fall from grace.
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What Is ‘Oz the Great and Powerful About?’
WhileWickedis based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name,Oz the Great and Powerfulis loosely based on Frank L. Baum’s collectiveOzbooks. Instead of focusing on the rise and fall of the Wicked Witch of the West, the story concentrates on Oscar Diggs, a.k.a. Oz (James Franco), a stage magician and devious huckster from Kansas who rises to infamy as the Wizard of Oz.
While both movies are set in the Land of Oz,the story ofOz the Great and the Powerfulis set 20 years before the events depicted in Baum’s original 1900 novel. As such, it’s viewed as a spiritual predecessor to the classic 1939 film adaptation. Meanwhile,Wickedtakes place before and after Dorothy’s journey and can be viewed as both a prequel and a sequel of sorts.
Oscar arrives in the Land of Oz after riding in a hot-air balloon. Upon his arrival, he uses his manipulative charms to convince theinhabitants of the magical landthat he is a wizard capable of delivering peace and prosperity to the land. Oz draws the attraction of three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams). Oz first believes that Glinda is the Wicked Witch, but soon learns the real Witch, Evanora, is tricking him. UnlikeWicked, the story does not feature the character of Elphaba, although it does emphasize Glinda’s presence.
The Land of Oz and the Emerald City
Other differences betweenthe fantasy movie prequelsWickedandOz the Great and Powerfulcan be found in the Land of Oz itself. For instance, inWicked, viewers are treated to the familiar sights and sounds of Oz that were introduced in the original 1939 movie. The Land of Oz features the Wicked Witch’s ominous castle, colorful Munchkinland, and the verdant Emerald City.
However,Wickeddepicts the wonderful land of Oz as a place in a period of oppressive transition. The anthropomorphic animals who have long contributed to the land’s prosperity are caged, muzzled, and disenfranchised. As the Wicked Witch rises to power, she plans to change the Land of Oz beyond all recognition of what made it so magical.
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On the other hand,Oz the Great and Powerfuldepicts the early formation of the Land of Oz and expands the geography past Munchkinland, the Yellowbrick Road, and other iconic locations. Instead, the pre-developed Land of Oz features everything from a Chinatown adorned with talking porcelain dolls and terrifying Venus Flytrap creatures to sharp-fanged river sprites and an advanced race of intellectuals.
Indeed, both films depict the Land of Oz differently, partially due to the timeline of events featured in each story. SinceWickedserves as a prequel and a sequel, it has familiar landmarks associated with the original Wizard of Oz. SinceOz the Great and Powerfulfunctions as a predecessor to the original, its portrayal of Oz is more foreign and unrecognizable.
Elphaba vs. Evanora
Another glaring difference between both movies is the depiction of Elphaba vs. Evanora.While both represent the Wicked Witch of the West replete with green skin, a broomstick, and a pointy black hat, each is represented differently. InWicked, Elphaba is introduced with green skin but a heart of gold. InOz the Great and Powerful, Evanora conceals her hideous visage by wearing a necklace that makes her appear as a young attractive woman. Below the beautiful facade, Evanora possesses a cold heart and a hot temper. As each story unfolds and Elphaba and Evanora evolve and devolve, their appearances change in lockstep with their motives.
InWicked,Elphaba grapples with the moral ambiguity of becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. The movie frames her character as a misunderstood pariah and makes her more sympathetic as a result. In contrast,Oz the Great and Powerfulpresents Evanora as wicked from the start, possessing coldhearted cruelty and an evil cackle who has very little redeeming value. In telling Elphaba’s origin, rise, and fall,Wickedshows the character devolving from light to dark. In telling Oz’s origin story, Evanora is pure unadulterated evil from beginning to end.
Oscar Diggs vs. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Just as a stark difference can be seen between Elphaba and Evanora, so too can a disparate portrayal ofthe Wizards be spotted in both movies.InOz the Great and Powerful,Oscar Diggs' origin story portrays the character as a shameless con man willing to empower himself by any means necessaryas he seizes control of the Land of Oz. Born without any magical powers to speak of, Oscar is an ordinary man who rises to power through his wits, ambitions, and ability to convince people of his leadership. Selfish, conniving, and out to exploit the inhabitants for his own gain, Oscar is also depicted as a brash womanizer with very few ethics.
Meanwhile,inWicked, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, played by Jeff Goldblum, is introduced as already ruling the magical kingdom with a kind heart and open mind.When the story begins, Elphaba idolizes the Wizard until she learns that he has ulterior motives for developing the land into a conformist society. When Elphaba realizes that The Wizard is also a deceiver who goes against his word, the characters become more aligned in both movies. The big difference is that Oscar desperately wants to control The Land of Oz. At the same time, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is already well-established as the magical ruler of the kingdom when the story commences.
Dorothy Gale and the Flying Monkeys
One final difference betweenWickedandOz the Great and Powerfulrelates to Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland in her best movie) and the Flying Monkeys. In theWickedmusical, Dorothy’s notorious arrival at The Land of Oz in a free-falling farmhouse incites the plot. However, it’s important to note that Dorothy never appeared on stage or on-screen during the Broadway production ofWicked. Instead, as an origin story,Wickedgives the other main characters inThe Wizard of Ozbackstories, including The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. As Elphaba rises to power before her eventual downfall,Wickedalso includes the origin of the Flying Monkeys, and briefly includes Dorothy.
Elphaba created the flying monkeys at the behest of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz to prove her spellcasting skills. Elphaba also creates The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion in a misguided act of heroism. InOz the Great and Powerful,there are two types of Flying Monkeys. One is named Finley (Zach Braff), who serves as a sidekick to Oscar. The other types of Flying Monkeys include the frightening killer baboons with wings, which differ from the original monkeys who terrorize the Land of Oz in the original 1939 film.
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InOz the Great and Powerful,Dorothy Gale is completely absent from the story, although her mother Annie (Michelle Williams) makes a brief appearance. The story takes place 16 years before Dorothy arrives in the Land of Oz, where Oscar is partially credited with creating The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. After scaring off a lion in the wild and declaring it a coward, Oscar goes to the Tinker Master (Bill Cobbs), urging him to create an army of metal men disguised as scarecrows. As such, the origin of each character differs betweenWickedandOz theGreat and Powerful. Not just Elphaba and Evanora as the Wicked Witch, but also the main characters relating to Dorothy Gale inThe Wizard of Oz.
The Many Adaptations of The Wizard of Oz
WhileWickedandOz the Great and Powerfulpresent different takes on Frank L. Baum’s classic story, the work has long inspired many filmmakers.For those who want to dive deeper into the rich cinematic world inspired by the Land of Oz, here is a complete list of films below:
Early Silent Film Adaptations
Classic and Iconic Versions
Modern Adaptations
Animated Adaptations
International Versions
you’re able to streamOz the Great and Powerfulon Disney+.Wickedis currently available VOD and is expected to come to Peacock early in 2025.You can rent or buy it here in the meantime.
