Do You Need to Watch The Wizard of Oz First
You do not need to watch The Wizard of Oz before Wicked. Wicked is a prequel that tells the backstory of the witches of Oz, and it works as a standalone story. Watching the 1939 film first is optional, not required.
How the Stories Are Connected
Wicked is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, which reimagines the world introduced in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the 1939 film. The musical references familiar elements, such as the yellow brick road and the city of Oz, but it follows a different timeline and perspective.
Which Viewing Order Makes More Sense
Watching The Wizard of Oz first can give you quick recognition of places and characters, but it is not necessary to enjoy Wicked. If you want to see the classic film, you can watch it anytime before or after the musical. Both are separate stories with different themes and tones.
Bottom Line
You can watch Wicked without prior Oz knowledge. If you want extra context, the 1939 film is widely available on streaming services and is a short, classic watch. For more background on the original story, you can also read about The Wizard of Oz on Wikipedia.
