5 Shocking Ways 'Wicked' Is NOT The Same As 'The Wizard Of Oz' (And Why It Matters Now)

The short answer is no, Wicked is not the same as The Wizard of Oz, but the relationship is far more complex and fascinating than a simple 'yes' or 'no.' As of December 14, 2025, with the two-part film adaptation now a global phenomenon, the world is rediscovering the Land of Oz through a completely new, revisionist lens. While one is a beloved 1939 cinematic classic, the other is a record-breaking Broadway musical and a new blockbuster movie series that serves as a dark, intricate, and deeply political prequel, reframing the entire narrative of good and evil in the Emerald City. It’s the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West, transforming her from a one-dimensional villain into a misunderstood protagonist.

This is not a simple retelling; it is a profound literary and theatrical response to the original tale. Wicked challenges everything audiences thought they knew about Dorothy Gale’s journey, the nature of the Wonderful Wizard, and the true origins of the green-skinned girl named Elphaba. Understanding their connection requires looking beyond the surface to the source material, the groundbreaking musical, and the newest cinematic interpretation.

The Simple Answer: Prequel, Not the Same Story

The confusion over whether Wicked and The Wizard of Oz are the same stems from their shared setting and characters. They exist in the same universe, the magical Land of Oz, but their plots are sequential and their themes are diametrically opposed.

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The Literary and Theatrical Lineage

The original story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. Its most famous adaptation is the iconic 1939 film starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale. This story focuses on Dorothy's arrival in Oz and her quest to return to Kansas, culminating in the defeat of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked, however, is based on a 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, titled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Maguire’s novel is a much darker, more adult fantasy that uses Baum's world as a foundation to explore themes of political corruption, animal rights, and the nature of propaganda.

The hit Broadway musical, which debuted in 2003, is a more accessible, slightly softened adaptation of Maguire’s book. It functions as a revisionist prequel, detailing the complex, lifelong friendship and rivalry between the two most famous witches in Oz: Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North/South).

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In short: Wicked is the "before" story, explaining *why* the Wicked Witch became wicked, and it intentionally overlaps with the "during" story of Dorothy’s arrival.

The 5 Key Differences Between Wicked and The Wizard of Oz

While sharing characters and settings like the Emerald City, Munchkinland, and the Wizard, *Wicked* fundamentally alters the established canon of the 1939 film. The differences move beyond plot to reshape the entire moral landscape of Oz.

1. The Protagonist Shift: Villain to Hero

In The Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is a purely evil, cackling antagonist who exists only to threaten Dorothy and steal the ruby slippers.

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In Wicked, the protagonist is Elphaba, a brilliant, passionate, but misunderstood young woman born with green skin. The entire narrative is dedicated to showing her slow, tragic transformation from an idealistic activist to the exiled figure history remembers as "wicked." The musical's central thesis is that "wickedness" is often a matter of perspective and propaganda, not inherent evil.

2. The Nature of Glinda and The Wizard

The 1939 film portrays Glinda the Good Witch as a perfect, benevolent fairy godmother figure, and the Wizard as a harmless, bumbling fraud.

Wicked reveals a much more nuanced reality. Glinda (born Galinda Upland) is shown as a popular, initially shallow, but ultimately loyal friend who struggles with her own moral choices. The Wizard, far from being harmless, is exposed as a corrupt, manipulative dictator who uses his power to oppress the Animals (sentient, talking creatures) and control the Land of Oz. This political corruption is a major driving force behind Elphaba’s actions.

3. The Backstories of the Companions

In the original tale, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion are simply magical beings Dorothy encounters on the road to the Emerald City, each seeking a missing attribute.

Wicked retcons their origins to directly tie them to Elphaba’s life. The Scarecrow is revealed to be a student and love interest of Elphaba’s named Fiyero Tigelaar. The Tin Man’s transformation is a result of one of Elphaba's magical spells gone wrong, and the Cowardly Lion is a baby Animal she tries to protect. This intertwining of fates makes the ultimate connection to Dorothy's journey far more personal and tragic.

4. The Legal and Visual Disconnect

Due to legal rights issues, the creators of the Wicked musical were not allowed to directly copy the visual elements of the 1939 film. For example, the musical's Glinda cannot arrive in a bubble that looks exactly like the one in the movie, and the Wicked Witch’s appearance, while green, must be visually distinct from Margaret Hamilton’s iconic portrayal.

Furthermore, the famous Ruby Slippers (which are silver in Baum's original 1900 novel) are a creation of the 1939 film. In Wicked, they are explained as being the footwear of Elphaba's sister, Nessarose, the Wicked Witch of the East, before they are magically transferred to Dorothy upon Nessarose's death by the falling house.

5. The Tone and Themes

L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a classic children's fantasy full of whimsy, nonsense, and simple moral lessons.

Gregory Maguire’s Wicked novel, and to a lesser extent the musical, is a much darker, more mature story. It tackles complex political themes, including fascism, civil rights, and religious hypocrisy. The musical, while featuring spectacular songs like "Defying Gravity" and "For Good," retains this underlying darkness, focusing on the heavy emotional cost of friendship and sacrifice.

The Latest Update: The Two-Part Film Adaptation

The connection between the two stories has never been more relevant than now, thanks to the recent release of the major motion picture adaptation. After decades on Broadway, the story of Elphaba and Glinda has been brought to the screen as a two-part epic.

The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The decision to split the musical into two movies—Wicked: Part I (released on November 22, 2024) and Wicked: For Good (released in late 2025)—allowed the filmmakers to explore the narrative depth and musical complexity that the original Broadway production is famous for.

The two-part film structure ensures that the political and personal stakes of the prequel are fully realized before the story intersects with Dorothy's arrival. This cinematic event solidifies Wicked's status not as a copy, but as the essential companion piece to the 1939 classic, offering a compelling new context for every event that follows in the Land of Oz.

Ultimately, Wicked is not the same as The Wizard of Oz; it is the *reason* for it. It is the sophisticated, emotional, and political foundation upon which the simpler, classic adventure rests, forever changing the way audiences view the Green Witch, the Good Witch, and the meaning of true wickedness.