JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The magic of the big screen is drawing crowds once again as moviegoers packed Cinemark Tinseltown Friday night for the highly anticipated debut of “Wicked,” the Broadway musical-turned-film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
For many fans, it was more than just a movie outing, it was an event.
“I’ve been waiting to see this movie for a very long time,” said Sarah Krehbiel, one of the excited attendees. “I wished for it in the fourth grade, so I am very excited. It’s been a long time coming.”
Others relished the opportunity to see their favorite stars take on iconic roles.
“Not only am I a fan of musical theater and ‘Wicked,’ in general, I’m a very big Ariana Grande fan,” Molly Shults said. “I grew up in South Florida, in the same city as her, and we actually have mutual friends. So I like to pretend that we’re friends in another life.”
The film brought together fans of the beloved stage production, offering a chance to relive its magic on the big screen.
“I’ve been waiting forever for this,” said Christian Borne, a self-proclaimed Wicked superfan. “I cannot wait to see it. I’ve listened to the soundtrack three times already. It’s gonna be amazing.”
For Lizy Hoepfinger, the film’s release was a perfect opportunity to revisit a long-standing favorite.
“I’ve always been a big Broadway fan,” she said. “I’ve seen ‘Wicked’ on Broadway and listened to the album 1,000 times, so it was really awesome to come here.”
Fans also shared their excitement about hearing their favorite songs performed on the big screen. From “Defying Gravity” to “Loathing” and “No One Mourns the Wicked,” each song held a special meaning.
“‘Defying Gravity’ is a huge one, obviously,” Krehbiel said. “But I also love ‘What Is This Feeling?’ and ‘No One Mourns the Wicked.’”
Many moviegoers had similar favorite songs in common.
“Other than ‘Defying Gravity,’ I have to say the opening number, ‘No One Mourns the Wicked.’ That’s a good one, especially the overture part. That’s one of my favorite parts,” Borne said.
For movie theaters, the release of “Wicked” signals more than just ticket sales—it reflects a broader resurgence in cinema culture.
“This year has been incredible for the movies,” said Julia McCartha, Cinemark Public Relations Manager. “It’s really exciting when we have films like Wicked that people really want to see and be a part of that cultural moment. We saw this same excitement with ‘Barbenheimer’ last year.”
Opening night attendees were also drawn to the communal experience of moviegoing, whether it was snagging collectible popcorn buckets or soaking in the surround sound alongside like-minded fans.
“Especially on opening night, it’s probably going to be a lot of nerdy fans like me,” Shults said with a laugh. “We’ll try not to sing the whole time, but I think I’ll hear a lot of humming around me.”
As the credits roll on opening weekend, one thing is clear: the magic of “Wicked” and the allure of the theater are proving that the silver screen still holds its timeless charm.