Our family saw Wicked: For Good yesterday (November 29, 2025), and because I know so many parents are wondering whether this sequel is okay for kids, especially ages 8–12, I’m sharing everything I noticed. The good, the intense, the emotional, and the “I wasn’t expecting THAT” moments.

I watched it with:

• two daughters (ages 9 and 10),
• one of their friends who’s almost 9,
• and my husband, who always delivers the brutally honest “dad review.”

This post is not influenced by critics and is based solely on our actual experience inside the theater.

If you want a parent guide, movie review, and kids’ reactions all in one place, here it is.

Overall Impression (Spoiler-Free Section)

Beautiful visuals. Emotional ending. Good acting. Some slow stretches.
But definitely more intense, more dramatic, and more mature than the first movie.

It carries heavier themes, deeper heartbreak, and more magical tension. My girls handled everything fine, but there were several scenes I mentally flagged as “parents may want to know about this beforehand.”

Music & Songs: Our Unfiltered Thoughts

My 10-year-old said:

“The songs were okay… but the first movie had better music.”

She didn’t connect to any song strongly. She wasn’t scared, but she also didn’t have a favorite musical moment. When I asked her what part she liked most, she couldn’t pick one, which, in kid language, usually means nothing really stood out musically.

My 9-year-old surprised me. When I asked her favorite part, she said:

“When Fiyero went away.”

When I asked why, she said:

“Because he was cheating on Galinda.”

She didn’t pick up on the nuance that Fiyero wasn’t really in love with Glinda, and he’d been feeling dishonest staying with her. The emotional complexity was too mature for her, and I was honestly shocked she even used the word “cheating.” Spoiler alert – he also did not “go away”.

As for me?

None of the songs really landed.
There was nothing with the power, heart, or goosebump-moment equivalent to Defying Gravity. I kept waiting for that one breakout song, the one that gives you chills, and it never came.

Pacing: Longer, Slower, and Heavier

This movie felt longer to me than the first one, and the first one wasn’t short either.

My kids were overall fine, but at one point I noticed their friend being restless and she and Emma (9) were whispering to each other, a sign their attention dipped. Della (10) was focused the entire time.

My husband’s take was classic:

“Good… but they could’ve tightened it up.”

Not a negative review, but definitely not glowing.

Kids’ Reactions: Honest and Unfiltered (Spoiler Alert)

The Kiss

My girls covered their eyes during the Elphaba–Fiyero kiss.
This has become standard behavior; preteen cringe, not fear.

The Emotional Ending

One of the last scenes between Glinda and Elphaba was tense and layered. Elphaba tells Glinda she will be wicked so Glinda can be good, and that whole exchange is one of the most emotional parts of the movie.

Then Elphaba disappears.

We assume she “dies,” but there’s a witchy sound, her hand appears to rise, and she fades away. We see this from Glinda’s point of view through a partially closed space; a closet-like perspective.
The sound effects + the visuals made this moment feel too witchy for me personally.

Nessa’s Scene With the Boy She Likes

This was the most disturbing moment for kids:

Nessarose refuses to let the boy she likes leave her.
She casts a spell to keep him with her.
His heart begins to shrink.
Elphaba saves him, but only by turning him into the Tin Man.

Nothing graphic, but the intent is what makes it intense:

• A girl forcing someone to stay
• A spell that harms him
• A transformation that feels tragic

This is a lot for a 9-year-old to process.

Mine handled it, but it’s a moment I’d definitely flag for sensitive kids.

A Note About the Reveal of Elphaba’s Father (Kid Confusion Alert)

At the end of the movie, we learn that the Wizard of Oz is actually Elphaba’s biological father. My daughters did not understand this reveal at all. In our household, they don’t yet grasp how a child’s father could be someone other than the man married to the mother, so that moment simply didn’t make sense to them. Adults understand the emotional impact, but for younger kids it’s a detail that goes right over their heads.

Intense & Scary Moments Parents Should Know

There’s no gore or graphic violence, but several scenes are intense:

1. The Storm & Death Scene (Spoiler Warning)

A powerful magical storm is intentionally created as a trap to capture Elphaba.

Because of this, a house flies through the air and lands on her sister, Nessarose.

Glinda calls it “a tragic accident.”
Elphaba immediately says:

“That was no accident.”

This moment is:

• sudden
• emotional
• and heavy

My kids were fine, but other children might find it upsetting; especially the idea that someone caused it on purpose.

2. Dark Flying Scenes

Elphaba flies through dark, fiery areas around the castle.
The atmosphere is chaotic and dramatic, not “scary” in a horror sense, but visually intense.

3. Transformations

The Tin Man transformation is the one that may unsettle younger viewers.

4. The Slap Fight

Glinda and Elphaba have a slap-fight; yes, literally slapping! … and yes, it is over a guy.
It’s quick, emotional, and not violent, but younger kids may be confused why best friends upset upset and hit each other.

Relationships, Loyalty & Friendship (What Kids Do and Don’t Understand

This movie has deep themes:

• complicated feelings
• messy choices
• guilt
• sacrifice
• loyalty
• and the cost of doing what’s right

My 10-year-old understood most of it.
My 9-year-old understood very little of the romantic or moral nuance.

Younger kids will:

• miss the emotional layers
• misunderstand motivations
• take things more literally
• focus on the visuals, not the meaning

Teens will understand far more than tweens.

Themes That Stand Out (Parent Perspective)

These themes are strong in the movie:

Deep Friendships

Friendships can fracture, heal, shift, and still hold love.

Misunderstanding

Characters are judged unfairly or misunderstood.

Sacrifice

People give up relationships, safety, or happiness for the greater good.

Power Misused

Authority figures manipulate, control, and mislead.

Identity

Characters must choose who they want to become; even if others label them incorrectly.

For older kids, these themes create great conversations.
For younger kids, much of it goes over their heads.

Visuals: Stunning but Sometimes Intense

The movie is visually rich:

• magical colors
• dramatic skies
• glowing spells
• sweeping landscapes
• striking costumes

Some scenes were absolutely gorgeous.

But the darker magical scenes, especially near the end, may feel too intense for very young viewers.

Should You See It in Theaters?

This depends on your family:

Worth Seeing in Theaters If:

• Your kids can handle intensity
• You love musicals
• You want the cinematic experience
• You saw the first movie
• You enjoy emotional storytelling

Streaming Might Be Better If:

• Your kids are sensitive
• You prefer to pause during heavy themes
• You need breaks to explain what’s happening
• Long movies lose your kids’ focus

For us, the theater experience was worth it, but there were definitely moments I wish I could have hit pause and talked my kids through things.

Age Recommendation (Based on Real Kids, Not Theory

👍 Ages 11–12+

Likely fine. They’ll understand more and handle the themes.

🤔 Ages 9–10

Okay if:

• they’re used to fantasy
• they’re not overly sensitive
• you’re aware of the romantic and intense moments

👶 Ages 8 and under

Too much.
Emotionally, narratively, and thematically.

Final Verdict (Mom’s Honest Take)

Wicked: For Good is emotional, visually stunning, and filled with powerful themes, but it’s also heavier, darker, and more mature than the first movie.

My kids enjoyed parts of it, but the deeper emotional layers were far beyond what my 9-year-old could grasp, and even some moments felt too “witchy” for me personally.

It’s a meaningful movie, not a light one.
A dramatic movie, not a fun one.
A beautiful finish, but with weight behind it.

If you go in prepared, it can be a worthwhile family experience, especially if you love stories about friendship, identity, courage, and hard choices.