Elphaba’s Fate in ‘Wicked: For Good’s Ending, Explained

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Warning: Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for Wicked: For Good!

The ending of Wicked: For Good can be a little tricky to understand, and it’s worth exploring the details. This film is a sequel to the 2024 movie Wicked, and it covers the second half of the popular Broadway musical. Both the musical and the film are based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which itself draws inspiration from L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz books and the classic 1939 film.

The second half of the Wicked films draws heavily from The Wizard of Oz, including characters like Dorothy and the stories of Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq. However, the film significantly changes the original 1939 movie’s ending, providing a more hopeful and fulfilling conclusion for Elphaba, the character known as the Wicked Witch of the West.

How ‘Wicked’ Changes ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and Whether Elphaba Survives


Universal Pictures

The first major turning point in Wicked: For Good happens after Nessarose dies, when Elphaba and Glinda have a confrontation. It’s revealed that Glinda and Morrible intentionally led Elphaba into a trap. Though surrounded by the Ozian army, Fiyero rescues Elphaba. After she escapes, the soldiers capture Fiyero and seemingly execute him by hanging him as a scarecrow. However, Elphaba uses magic to save him, though the spell changes his appearance, transforming him into the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. Devastated by the loss of her sister and the man she loves, Elphaba blames Glinda for the betrayal.

After seeking the Wizard’s help, Dorothy is tasked with finding and killing the witch, Elphaba. As Dorothy, the Tin Man (formerly Boq), and Madame Morrible stir up trouble in the Emerald City, Glinda feels horrified, understanding that her longing for love and envy of Elphaba have led her to participate in awful actions. Determined to reach Elphaba before Dorothy does, Glinda rides to the castle, where Elphaba comes to a crucial realization: she’s been approaching things all wrong.

Elphaba and Glinda are compelling characters because they balance each other out with their contrasting personalities. While Elphaba has a strong sense of right and wrong and isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in, she struggles to connect with others. Because she’s different, she’s destined to be seen as the villain. Ultimately, Elphaba believes the best way to save Oz is to let Glinda lead, as Glinda naturally inspires people to do what’s right. In return, Glinda acknowledges that Elphaba has helped her grow into a more understanding person, and she’s prepared to be a force for good in Oz.

Elphaba stages her own death, disappearing through a hidden trapdoor when Dorothy appears to destroy her with water. This act allows her to leave behind the persona of the “Wicked Witch,” symbolized by her black hat. Glinda returns to the Emerald City and exposes the Wizard, revealing he is actually Elphaba’s father and having him removed from power. She also has Madame Morrible arrested. Confident that Glinda will lead Oz well and protect everyone, Elphaba is finally able to find a quiet, peaceful life in secret.

Where Elphaba and Fiyero Really Go in ‘Wicked: For Good’s Ending


Universal Pictures

The film ends with Elphaba and Fiyero, who has become the Scarecrow, together at the castle. They escape through a hidden tunnel – one previously shown as a way for animals to flee Oz. We see animals entering this tunnel earlier in the movie, just before Elphaba sings “No Place Like Home,” and she dreams of a new life where she can leave behind the troubles and difficulties of Oz and start over.

It’s difficult to pinpoint where Oz is located. The story describes it as being completely surrounded by harsh desert, which aligns with what we see on screen. Wicked: For Good simply shows Elphaba and Fiyero leaving Oz for a new place. This departure feels like a happy ending for them, suggesting they’ve found freedom and a peaceful life by venturing into the unknown.

How ‘Wicked: For Good’s Ending Differs From the Book & Musical

Jon M. Chu’s film, Wicked: For Good, follows the same ending as the musical – Elphaba and Fiyero leave, and Glinda uses the Grimmerie. However, the book version has a much bleaker conclusion, strongly suggesting Elphaba dies when hit by a bucket of water. While the book hints at a possible future return for her, the sequels focus on other characters instead. The movie doesn’t offer any additional details about Elphaba and Fiyero’s fate beyond what viewers see in Wicked: For Good; that’s where their story ends.

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2025-11-21 04:19