In just a few weeks, Wicked is now the first movie musical adaptation to pass $300 million in the United States and is the fourth highest grossing musical of all time at the domestic box office. It is also only the fourth movie to pass $300 million at the domestic box office in 2024. The movie is also surely going to dominate in the awards season. It seems everyone is in love with Wicked...or does it? Conservative group One Million Moms has called for a boycott of the film, claiming it promotes an "LGBTQ agenda" to families and children. Despite their name suggesting massive support, only around 12,000 people have signed the organization's petition urging parents to avoid the musical adaptation. Have you seen Wicked yet?

The group, created by the American Family Association - which has been classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center - takes issue with what they describe as the film's "not-so-discrete crossdressing and men crushing on men." In their petition, One Million Moms expressed concerns about the film's supernatural elements, stating: "the musical contains a tremendous amount of witchcraft and sorcery. And that content prompts most parents to avoid taking their children to see Wicked." The group claims that instead of being "an uplifting Broadway musical about friendship and family," the film is "a dark movie that also pushes wokeness". They particularly object to what they term "a blatant attempt by Universal to normalize same-sex crushes". If you have seen the film, do you think these issues are justified?

For the record, One Million Moms' track record, since they started rallying against all things they believe to be "non-Christian", is pretty underwhelming. They are perhaps most notable for their failed attempt to start a mass boycott of retail chain J.C. Penney after that company chose Ellen DeGeneres, who is openly gay, as a spokesperson. In 2020, they attacked Burger King for saying, "Damn that's good." in a commercial for the meatless Impossible Burger. In late 2020, their latest target was Oreo cookies. The offense? Merely making a promotion campaign that says it's awesome for a parent to be proud and supportive of their LGBTQ+ children. Do you think they will make any difference in the movie Wicked's box office sales?

Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the original Broadway production of Wicked in 2003, responded to One Million Moms' petition, writing in a comment on Instagram, "Everyone knows the 'one million Moms' are a mere few hundred. Maybe. it's called entertainment. Artistry. I am a Christian woman or originated the role of Glinda and all the silliness that these women spew out of hate. No no no. I can't help it : i try to love em anyways. For they don't get it. For anyone who wants to see girl power, then go so WICKED. Onstage or in a movie theater." Do you agree with what she posted?