The Alamo Draft House Cinema is located inside Westfield Valley Fair mall, a less than 10-minute drive from Santa Clara University’s campus. **(MJ Kaspura/The Santa Clara)**

The Alamo Draft House Cinema is located inside Westfield Valley Fair mall, a less than 10-minute drive from Santa Clara University’s campus. (Photo by Sofia Ruvalcaba/The Santa Clara, design by Jenell Theobald/The Santa Clara)

Though Wicked: For Good officially opened on Nov. 21, an early screening at San Jose’s newly updated Alamo Drafthouse Cinema offered a first look at a film already exceeding expectations.

“You’re forced to really think about your own self: Who have you become, and is this the person you wanted to be?”

— Wicked: For Good cinematographer, Alice Brooks

The long-awaited adaptation debuted with more than $147 million in domestic earnings on its opening weekend, cementing director Jon M. Chu’s duology as one of the year’s most anticipated—and most talked-about—releases.

With awe-inspiring vocals and undeniable chemistry, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda once again take over the big screen. The visuals are equally striking, filling the frame with mind-bending camera work, vivid color and intricate costuming.

Erivo’s rendition of “No Good Deed” has swiftly become a fan favorite, aided in part by a music video featuring ballerina Misty Copeland, recently retired from the American Ballet Theatre. The two-minute video pulls viewers into the depth of Erivo’s performance and the beauty of Copeland’s dance, mirroring Elphaba and Glinda’s on-screen partnership. “No Good Deed” marks the turning point in Elphaba’s acceptance of her role in Oz as the Wicked Witch, a vital moment that lands powerfully in this 2025 rendition.

The addition of two new songs—“Girl in the Bubble” and “There’s No Place Like Home”—is a welcome change to the beloved Broadway musical, offering more context and emotional vulnerability to the main characters’ arcs.

Each seat is equipped with heated recliner seats, a small light that stays illuminated throughout the film, a tray table with a button to call waiters and a menu. (MJ Kaspura/The Santa Clara)

The cinematography for “Girl in the Bubble” mirrors Glinda’s internal struggle for self-discovery, using reflections and meticulously stitched shots to create the sensation of slipping through the various mirrors in her room. Considered the most technically challenging sequence in the film, according to Wicked: For Good cinematographer Alice Brooks, the scene has become one of the most impactful for its ability to draw audiences deeper into the story. “You’re forced to really think about your own self: Who have you become, and is this the person you wanted to be?” Brooks said.

Still, plenty of critics have taken to social media to voice disappointment. Facebook posts, TikTok videos and Twitter threads lit up the weekend of its release with viewers claiming the songs were added simply to extend the run time of Wicked: For Good, justifying the decision to split the story into two films.

As for the movie-going experience, San Jose’s updated Alamo Drafthouse offers a new way to enjoy cinema: food and drinks delivered straight to your seat. During previews, while the lights are still on, servers walk the aisles to get guests settled, and QR codes at each chair make ordering easy. Once the film begins, patrons can still request food—or a refill—using a small call button on each seat’s tray table.

The staff’s movements throughout the show were largely unobtrusive—save for the last 30 minutes, when waiters stopped by every chair to loudly announce “final call!”

All food arrived within 20 minutes of ordering, with everything tasting fresh and matching the quality of a traditional sit-down restaurant. Prices were comparable to typical Bay Area restaurants, though with the added cost of a standard movie ticket. The theater also offered Wicked-themed pizzas, sandwiches and cocktails alongside its classic menu options.

Two entrees, one appetizer, one specialty beverage and candy ran our tab around $75.

The film has already achieved worldwide success, grossing over $758 million. Wicked: For Good may well be the movie of the year, with the Alamo Drafthouse solidifying its status as a premier destination for San Jose moviegoers seeking a pricier, alternative theater experience.