Tag: Deals

It’s been nearly a year since the Wicked press (and subsequent memes) began, but just a little over a month since it finally made its highly anticipated theatrical debut. And as of Dec. 31, it’s already headed to the small screen. Consider this a late Christmas present.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as the green-skinned, magically gifted Elphaba and her pink-loving polar opposite bestie Glinda. The stage show’s lyricist, Stephen Schwartz, and playwright Winnie Holzman joined forces on the screenplay, while Jon M. Chu directed (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights). It also stars Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and the Jeff Goldblum. There are also some very noteworthy cameos.

The film adaptation of the classic 2003 Broadway musical starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth has already proven popular among audiences — bringing in $634 million worldwide and over $400 million domestically. We can only expect Wicked to soar even further with its small-screen debut.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Wicked at home this season.

What is Wicked: Part 1 about?

Wicked is an adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical of the same name, which opened in 2003. The play itself is also an adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which is basically a prequel to L. Frank Baum’s original novel The Wizard of Oz (as well as the iconic film from 1939). It tells the backstory of the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, as well as the popular and privileged Glinda the Good. The two witches meet as students at Shiz University in the Land of Oz and embark on a journey from loathing to an unexpectedly deep friendship. Part one of the two-part Wicked saga ultimately questions, “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”

Check out the full trailer for a more in-depth sneak peek:

Is Wicked worth watching?

Wicked: Part 1 set a new record for the biggest opening for a movie based on a Broadway show ever, grossing $424 million domestically to date. It’s not perfect, but it’s been largely well received by audiences and critics alike, currently sitting at an 88 percent critic rating and 95 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s earned four Golden Globes nominations, including Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, as well as acting nods for Erivo and Grande.

Mashable’s film editor Kristy Puchko called it “wonky, but at times wonderful,” noting that some of the cinematic choices by director Jon M. Chu drag it down. “Chu’s decision to turn Act 1 into a teen musical is marred by his dingy color palette, the crowded cinematography of Shiz (thankfully, things open up in the Emerald City), and directing his leading lady to play the titular witch as chiefly woeful. A show heralded for its high-energy song numbers, stage spectacle, and smirking sense of humor, Wicked is malformed by these choices. Yet, some sections are sure to have audiences cheering,” she writes.

Check out our full review of Wicked: Part 1.

How to watch Wicked at home

While it’s still floating around in theaters, Wicked will make its at-home debut on major digital platforms (Prime Video, Apple TV+, etc.) on Dec. 31, 2024. The film will be exclusively available to buy or rent for $29.99 or $19.99, respectively. Plus, you’ll get loads of bonus content to enjoy alongside the film itself — including a singalong version, deleted and extended scenes, feature commentary, and a 40-minute journey through Oz.

Keep in mind that with rentals, you’ll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start it. If you’d rather wait and stream Wicked instead, keep on scrolling for more information.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase Wicked as of Dec. 31:

When and where will Wicked be streaming?

As a Universal Pictures film, we know that Wicked will make its streaming debut on Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal. The only question is when. While no official streaming date has been revealed yet, we can make an educated guess that it will follow a release schedule similar to previous Universal Pictures hits like Twisters and The Fall Guy. Both of these films had a three-month gap between their digital debut and streaming debut, which means Wicked will likely be available to stream around March 31st. Although, there are no guarantees.

Peacock raised its prices earlier this year, with subscriptions now starting at $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without ads. But luckily, we’ve found a few ways you can save some money — check out the best Peacock deals below.

The best Peacock streaming deals

Best long-term Peacock deal

If you commit to Peacock long-term and pay for a year upfront, it’ll save you about 17% over a monthly subscription. An annual subscription goes for $79.99 per year with ads or $139.99 per year without, which is essentially 12 months of streaming for the price of 10. Comparatively, a monthly subscription will run you $7.99 per month ($95.88 per year) or $13.99 per month ($167.88 per year).

Mashable Deals

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers

Select Xfinity customers can score a Peacock subscription for no extra cost. Here’s a breakdown of who is eligible:

• Xfinity Internet users on the Gigabit or Gigabit+ plans can get Peacock Premium (with ads) for two years (offer ends June 25, 2025) for free.

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students

College students with a verifiable student email can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for just $1.99 per month for an entire year. Just prove your student status through SheerID and you’ll receive a unique promo code to secure the discount. The discount code can only be used once, so don’t go sharing it with all of your friends!

Best Peacock deal for first responders

First responders can also score Peacock Premium for just $1.99 per month, so long as they can verify their first responder status via SheerID. Sign up using the unique promo code you receive and the price will drop down to $1.99 per month. First responders who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew the deal annually. You’ll just have to go through the process each time to receive a new promo code and secure the discount year after year. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.

Best for Instacart users

Peacock and Instacart partnered up last year to offer paid Instacart+ members a free Peacock Premium subscription. That’s a $79.99 per year value for zero dollars. An Instacart+ account costs you $99.99 per year and includes free grocery delivery on orders over $35, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders, among other perks. Plus, the best part is that you get a two-week free trial to test things out. Definitely grab this freebie if you haven’t yet. Better yet, wait until Wicked‘s official streaming date is revealed and time your trial so you can watch for free.

Best for JetBlue members

Through July 2025, JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn 1,000 free TrueBlue points when they sign up for Peacock. If you have Mosaic status, you can get your first year of Peacock Premium for free (a $79.99 value). Read more about eligibility and terms over on Peacock’s special offer page.