After much anticipation, Wicked: For Good is coming to the big screen for the movie adaptation’s grand finale!
The original musical, Wicked, first opened on Broadway in 2003, and the first part of the duology was a global sensation among both fans and critics when it premiered this time last year.
Now, the theatrical release of Part Two is finally upon us. Here’s everything you need to know before heading to your local movie theatre to see Wicked: For Good.
How to Watch the Wicked Movies
Mark your calendars! Wicked: For Good will premiere in movie theatres worldwide on November 21, 2025. Currently, Wicked is available to stream on Prime Video, while Wicked: For Good will be released digitally at a date to be announced.
Who’s Behind the Wicked Movies
The director of the movies is Jon M. Chu. Musical-theater fans might remember that he directed the In the Heights film in 2021, making him a prime candidate to tackle another musical property.
Behind the screenplay for both Wicked and Wicked: For Good is none other than Winnie Holzman, the writer of the musical’s book. She is joined by Dana Fox as the two expand the stage musical for the screen. The musical is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel of the same name, Wicked, which was inspired by L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
The second film will continue to bring Grammy and Oscar winner Stephen Schwartz’s legendary songs to the screen, including the beloved tunes “For Good” and “No Good Deed” as well as two new film-exclusive songs, “The Girl in the Bubble” and “No Place Like Home.” Both movies feature a score by Schwartz and Grammy and Oscar nominee John Powell.
Who’s in the Wicked Movies
Emmy-, Grammy-, and Tony-winning powerhouse and Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo is playing Elphaba in the big-screen adaptation of the role iconically originated by Broadway icon Idina Menzel. Broadway fans will know Erivo for her star-making turn as Celie in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple. She has made a name for herself in Hollywood since she was last on stage, playing Harriet Tubman in 2019’s Harriet for which she received two Academy Award nominations, one for her performance and the other for penning the song “Stand Up.” For her performance in Wicked, she received her third Oscar nomination.
Starring alongside Erivo is Grammy-winning multiplatinum recording artist Ariana Grande, taking on the role of Glinda, played originally on stage by beloved Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth. Grande is most known to the global audience for being a pop music sensation and was first introduced to younger generations on the Nickelodeon TV show Victorious. But she actually got her start on Broadway, appearing in the Jason Robert Brown musical 13 when she was just a teenager. Theater fans might also remember she played Penny Pingleton in NBC’s presentation of Hairspray Live! in 2016. She recieved her first Oscar nomination earlier this year for her performance in Wicked.
The film also stars Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as Shiz University’s regal headmistress and Dean of Sorcery Studies Madame Morrible, Olivier Award winner and Emmy nominee Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers) as Fiyero, Tony nominee Ethan Slater (Broadway’s Spongebob Squarepants) as Boq, Marissa Bode in her feature-film debut as Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, and pop-culture icon Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Most recently announced, the role of the Cowardly Lion is voiced by Golden Globe-, Tony-, Olivier-, and SAG Award-nominated and Emmy-winning actor Colman Domingo.
The cast of characters also includes Pfannee and ShenShen, two conniving compatriots of Glinda played by Emmy nominee Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Bronwyn James (Harlots); a new character created for the film, Miss Coddle, played by Tony nominee Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman), and four-time Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) as the voice of Doctor Dillamond. The supporting cast also features Andy Nyman (Judy) as Governor Thropp, Courtney Mae-Briggs (Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix) as Mrs. Thropp, Aarpm Teoh (Artemis Fowl) as Avaric, and Shaun Prendergast (Henry V) as Shiz President.
What to Expect in the Second Wicked Movie
As the musical is split into two parts, the first Wicked film sticks closely to the plot structure of the musical’s first act, ending with “Defying Gravity.” Wicked: For Good, the second act, will pick back up with “Every Day More Wicked.”
The movie is expected to be 2 hours and 18 minutes, bringing the total runtime of the adaptation to roughly 5 hours, nearly double the length of the Broadway musical. This could mean that aspects from the book are being incorporated into the movie or that the world of the musical is being expanded even more for the movie.
What to Do Before the Wicked Movie
While we get ready to dive back into the wonderful world of Oz, be sure to check your local movie theatre for any special events or double features. Select movie theatres will be screening the double feature including an intermission, special poster giveaway events, special edition momentos, themed snacks, and more. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged to ensure a seat!
Ahead of the release of the second film, Wicked: One Wonderful Night aired on NBC. The TV special, which features performances of many songs from the first movie – and a peek at those to come – is now available to stream on Peacock.
If you’re planning to be in New York before the movie is officially released, you can visit where the musical began at the Gershwin Theatre. The show recently celebrated 22 years on Broadway and excitement is in the air in anticipation of the first film’s premiere.
