Fans Should Refrain From Singing During the 'Wicked' Movie

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

The highly anticipated Wicked movie is just around the corner, with fans eagerly awaiting the chance to FINALLY see the beloved Broadway musical brought to life on the silver screen.

Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, this two-part cinematic event promises to deliver a breathtaking reimagining of a story that has touched millions. But as excitement builds, a pressing concern has emerged: will theater audiences respect the cinematic experience or will the urge to belt out Defying Gravity be too much to resist?

To those planning to attend: please, do not sing during the movie.

This plea isn’t about stifling joy or denying fans their moment of connection to the story. Rather, it’s about preserving the communal magic of the moviegoing experience. The Wicked film adaptation deserves the chance to captivate its audience fully, unencumbered by distractions. And while there’s undeniable power in fans’ passion, there are many reasons why singing along in a movie theater is not the way to express it.

When audience members sing over those performances, they risk drowning out the artistry on display. Imagine hearing someone behind you struggling through Popular while Glinda is delivering a comedic masterclass, or having an off-key rendition of No Good Deed ruin a pivotal emotional moment. The movie theater is not a karaoke bar; it’s a shared space meant to honor the storytelling happening on screen.

Singing during the movie also disrupts fellow audience members, many of whom may be seeing Wicked for the first time. Not everyone in the theater is a die-hard fan who already knows every lyric by heart. For some, this will be their introduction to Elphaba and Glinda’s journey. Singing along not only pulls them out of the story but can also diminish their enjoyment of what should be an immersive experience.

There will be plenty of opportunities to sing along in the future. They’ve already announced “sing-a-long” screenings of the movie. 1,000 North American cinemas will show the version starting on Dec. 25 — approximately one month after “Wicked” lands on the big screen. Exact plans, including the location count and showtimes, have yet to be finalized.

Also, streaming platforms, Blu-rays, and soundtrack releases will allow fans to harmonize with Elphaba and Glinda to their heart’s content—in the privacy of their own homes or in fan-organized singalong events.

For now, let’s give the Wicked movie its moment. The story of two unlikely friends finding their way in a magical and often unjust world is too important to overshadow with distractions. So when the lights dim and the opening notes of Stephen Schwartz’s legendary score begin, let’s all agree to stay silent—and let the magic unfold as it was meant to.

Wicked fans have demonstrated that passion for over 20 years, through costumes, artwork, fan fiction, and spirited singalongs in appropriate spaces. But true fandom also requires thoughtfulness.

You don’t have to sing to defy gravity. Sometimes, simply listening is enough.