8 Shows and Films to Check Out If You Loved Cynthia Erivo in Wicked

Without a doubt, the film adaptation Wicked was one of the most mesmerizing cinematic events of the year. Nearly a month after its release, we still haven't gotten it out of our heads.

And while we absolutely adored everything about the movie, from the spectacular visuals and unforgettable songs to Ariana Grande's powerful performance as Galinda, it was Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba that truly had us hooked. She fully embodied the role, combining show-stopping live vocals with raw emotion and jaw-dropping physical stunts to bring Elphaba to life in a brand new way. We're already counting down the days until the sequel, Wicked: For Good, releases on Nov. 21, 2025, but since we can't skip time, we've instead taken a deep dive into her filmography. Below, discover her most memorable film and TV roles to fall even more in love with the star.

Widows (2018)

If you're in the mood for something thrilling and intense, look no further than Steve McQueen's heist film, Widows. After four men attempt a robbery and are killed by the police, their wives decided to team up to steal $5 million from a Chicago politician to pay off a crime boss. In the film, Cynthia plays Belle, a babysitter who looks after one of the wives' children before getting roped into the scheme as their getaway driver.

 

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Bad Times at the El Royale is a star-studded film, with a cast including Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Nick Offerman and more, plus Cynthia Erivo in one of her first theatrical roles. The El Royale is a hotel in the middle of the desert between California and Nevada, well past its prime. In the '50s, a criminal hid a stash of money under the floorboards in his room. One fateful night a decade later, several guests converge on the El Royale. Cynthia plays Darlene Sweet in a role that beautifully shows off her chops as a vocalist.

 

Also read about: Ariana Grande Performing in NBC's Wicked Concert Is the Perfect Pre-Halloween Event

 

Harriet (2019)

We all hear the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in school, but it's another thing to see the story dramatized like it is in 2019's Harriet. Cynthia stars as the titular Harriet Tubman, following her own escape from slavery and her dangerous work to free other slaves, including her family, by helping them flee to the north. Her performance earned her Academy Award, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations, and while its subject matter can be challenging, we can't recommend it highly enough.

 

The Outsider (2020)

Fans of both crime drama and supernatural stories get the best of both worlds from HBO's. The Outsider miniseries, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. While at first, the series seems like your typical murder mystery, it soon becomes clear that the killer was anything but human. Cynthia plays Holly Gibney, a detective with an unusual sense of perception and nearly perfect memory whose skills are employed as the plot unravels. She only appears in eight of the 10 episodes, starting with Episode 3, but we suggests watching the entire thing. While the series wasn't renewed, its ending sets up quite the conundrum for our hero.

 

Genius (2021)

National Geographic's Genius is an anthology drama series that follows a different creative genius each season. 2021's season served as a biography "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin. It begins with her tumultuous childhood, starring Shaian Jordan as the rising gospel singer, impregnated at the age of 12, before jumping to her adulthood and rise to fame, with Cynthia Erivo bringing the icon to life. Cynthia's performances as Aretha Franklin truly are something to behold.

 

Also read about: 5 Broadway Shows We Want to See Adapted Into a Live-Action Film

 

Pinocchio (2022)

We love that Cynthia Erivo is technically part of the Disney family as well, appearing as The Blue Fairy in the live-action 2022 version of Pinocchio. While the role is brief, it's unforgettable, as she's the one who brings the curious puppet to life and promises he can become a real boy if he can demonstrate his bravery, truthfulness and selflessness. Plus, her version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" is stunning.

 

Also read about: 37 Wishful Quotes From Disney's Live-Action Pinocchio to Use as Your Next Instagram Caption

 

Drift (2023)

Drift tells a story that's simple but profoundly effective, with Cynthia Erivo starring as Jacqueline Kamara, a Liberian refugee who finds herself on a Greek island. There, she meets Alia Shawkat's Callie, an America tour guide also trying to heal from a troubling past. Together, they create a beautiful friendship, finding the strength they need to look to the future.

 

1984 (2024)

We're cheating a little bit, because George Orwell's 1984: An Audible Original is an audio recording, rather than an actual TV show or film, but it demands a listen. It's a stunning and immersive adaptation of the classic dystopian novel, with an impressive voice cast featuring Andrew Garfield, Andrew Scott and Tom Hardy, in addition to Cynthia Erivo. Cynthia voices Julia, the love interest of protagonist Winston Smith, a fellow "thoughtcriminal" before they're both found out by the Thought Police.

 

If you're like us and haven't stopped listening to the Wicked soundtrack, click HERE for our favorite gravity-defying lyrics to use as Instagram captions.