Wicked: For Good
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Wicked: For Good, also known as Wicked: Part Two, arrives in 2025 as the dazzling sequel to the beloved musical fantasy film. Directed by Jon M. Chu and penned by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, this cinematic spectacle adapts the breathtaking second act of Stephen Schwartz and Holzman's iconic 2003 stage musical. It's a reimagining, a continuation, and a deeper dive into the world born from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, itself a fascinating twist on L. Frank Baum's timeless tale.
Returning to reprise their roles are Cynthia Erivo as the misunderstood Elphaba, now the formidable Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as the radiant Glinda, the Good. They are joined by Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, and the legendary Jeff Goldblum.
Journey back to the enchanting Land of Oz, before and during the extraordinary events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Here, the unbreakable bond between Elphaba and Glinda is tested and transformed as they step into their destined identities. Witness their evolution as Elphaba embraces her power as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda shines as Glinda the Good.
Universal Pictures and the visionary Marc Platt, the very forces behind the original stage musical, announced this grand film adaptation in 2012. After a journey of development marked by anticipation and a few well-timed delays, Jon M. Chu took the helm as director, with Erivo and Grande joining the magical cast in 2021. To honor the richness of the story and the depth of these beloved characters, the adaptation was thoughtfully divided into two parts, ensuring no detail was lost, no emotion unexplored.
The magic began with principal photography in England in December 2022. Though briefly paused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the cameras rolled again, concluding their enchanting work in January 2024.
Wicked: For Good graced the world with its premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 4, 2025, and is set to captivate audiences across the United States starting November 21st.
The story unfolds years after the events of Wicked (2024). Elphaba Thropp, now the notorious Wicked Witch of the West, continues her courageous fight for animal rights, a fugitive in her own land. Meanwhile, Galinda Upland, transformed into the beloved Glinda the Good, finds herself a public figure, closely observed by the Wizard and the formidable Madame Morrible. As they confront the repercussions of their choices, their extraordinary friendship is pushed to its limits by a cascade of events. And then, a surprising arrival from Kansas – Dorothy Gale – sets in motion a chain reaction that will forever alter the very fabric of the Land of Oz.
The cast is a constellation of talent: Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp, a young woman whose emerald hue masks a profound spirit and a destiny as the Wicked Witch of the West. Ariana Grande embodies Glinda Upland, the once popular young woman now known as Glinda the Good, with Scarlett Spears portraying a young Glinda. Jonathan Bailey is Fiyero Tigelaar, the Winkie prince now Captain of the Wizard's Guard. Jeff Goldblum returns as the enigmatic Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Marissa Bode is Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba's younger half-sister, now the Governor of Munchkinland. Ethan Slater plays Boq Woodsman, now Nessarose's devoted servant. Michelle Yeoh is Madame Morrible, formerly Dean of Sorcery, now a key figure in the Wizard's court. The voice of Doctor Dillamond, the talking Goat and former professor, is provided by Peter Dinklage. Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James join as Pfannee and ShenShen, Glinda's loyal assistants. Sharon D. Clarke lends her voice to Dulcibear, the cherished childhood nanny. And Colman Domingo voices Brrr the Cowardly Lion, a creature whose journey intertwines with Elphaba, Fiyero, and Dorothy.
The ensemble also features Keala Settle, Adam James, and Alice Fearn reprising their roles, alongside a special cameo from Kerry Ellis. Dorothy Gale herself, the farm girl from Kansas, plays a more significant role than ever before, her arrival a pivotal moment.
The journey to bring this epic to the screen began in 2012, with multiple release dates and a long, intricate development. Jon M. Chu's vision to split the story into two parts allowed for a more expansive narrative, a richer exploration of characters and their relationships. As Stephen Schwartz himself noted, "We found it very difficult to get past 'Defying Gravity' without a break." This decision ensures that the story unfolds with the depth and nuance it deserves. The film promises a darker tone than its predecessor, with Dorothy's role significantly amplified.
Filming commenced in December 2022, a grand undertaking that spanned England. Despite a temporary halt, production resumed and concluded in January 2024. A remarkable choice was made: song vocals were recorded live on set, a testament to the actors' dedication and a collaborative effort with Academy Award-winning production sound mixer Simon Hayes. Inspired by classics like Steven Spielberg's *Hook*, the production embraced large-scale sets and practical effects, including millions of tulips and a genuine Yellow Brick Road. Sets from the first film were ingeniously repurposed, creating a seamless world. Influences from *Pleasantville* and *The Truman Show* shaped the thematic portrayal of Oz, exploring themes of awakening and rebellion.
Post-production was a meticulous process, with visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic and Framestore. Director Jon M. Chu even utilized the Apple Vision Pro for remote editing sessions. The film's official title, "Wicked: For Good," was unveiled, a choice that resonated deeply, sharing its name with a pivotal song.
The soundtrack, a treasure trove of musical brilliance, will be released by Republic Records and Verve Label Group. John Powell composed the incidental underscore, while Jeff Atmajian expanded the orchestra from 23 to 125 musicians, breathing new life into William David Brohn's original orchestrations. Stephen Oremus returns to conduct the songs, with Powell leading the score. Two new songs, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble," penned with Erivo contributing to the former, are set to enthrall audiences.
The split into two films allowed for a deeper exploration of character relationships, particularly between Elphaba and Glinda. The filmmakers also made thoughtful adjustments, toning down certain elements to ensure a wider audience appeal. Nessarose's storyline was revised to prevent ableist implications, and Bowen Yang's character, Pfannee, receives his own significant arc.
Wicked: For Good premiered to global acclaim, with subsequent premieres in Paris, London, Singapore, and New York City. The film's release is supported by various immersive formats, including RealD 3D, IMAX, and Dolby Cinema. Advanced screenings offered a tantalizing glimpse, and a special double feature of both films was also presented.
Marketing efforts have been nothing short of spectacular, from early footage revealed at CinemaCon to a Super Bowl LVIII "First Look" that teased pivotal moments. The official trailer, released in June 2025, garnered an astonishing 113 million views in its first 24 hours, a testament to the immense anticipation. Promotional campaigns revitalized the Shiz University website, and special episodes of *Lego Masters* and *Dancing with the Stars* celebrated the Wicked universe. A musical television special, *Wicked: One Wonderful Night*, further amplified the excitement.
Tickets for Wicked: For Good became the site's best first-day pre-seller of 2025, a record-breaking achievement that underscores the film's immense popularity. Projections place its opening weekend at an astounding $112–115 million.
Early critical responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with many deeming the film superior to its predecessor and the second act of the stage musical. Jon M. Chu's direction and the powerful performances of Erivo and Grande have been lauded as exceptional. Critics have praised the "epic and heartbreakingly tender conclusion" and the "exciting and innovative" additions to the story.
Looking ahead, the possibility of further adventures within the Wicked universe has been discussed, with theme park attractions already in development. Wicked: For Good is not just a film; it's the evolution of a beloved story into a vibrant, expanding franchise.
Wicked: For Good (also known as Wicked: Part Two) is a 2025 American musical fantasy film directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox. The sequel to Wicked (2024), it adapts the second act of the 2003 stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, which was loosely based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, a reimagining of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation. Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum reprise their roles. Set in the Land of Oz before and during the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the plot follows the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda as they embrace their new identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
Universal Pictures and Marc Platt, who both produced the stage musical, announced the film adaptation in 2012. After a long development and multiple delays, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chu was hired to direct, with Erivo and Grande cast in 2021. The adaptation was split into two parts to avoid omitting plot points and further develop the characters. Principal photography on both films began in December 2022 in England, was interrupted in July 2023 by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, and resumed and concluded in January 2024.
Wicked: For Good premiered in São Paulo, Brazil on November 4, 2025, and is scheduled for release in the United States by Universal Pictures on November 21.
== Premise ==
Years after the events of Wicked (2024), Elphaba Thropp, now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, continues her fight for animal rights while living as a fugitive. Meanwhile, Galinda Upland, now recognized as the Glinda the Good, is a public figure watched over by the Wizard and Madame Morrible. As they face the consequences of their actions, their relationship is put to the test by a series of events—including the surprising arrival of Dorothy Gale from Kansas—that will change the Land of Oz forever.
== Cast ==
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp, a misunderstood young woman born with green skin who is now known as the Wicked Witch of the West
Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, a popular young woman who is now known as Glinda the Good
Scarlett Spears as young Glinda
Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar, a Winkie prince who is now Captain of the Wizard's Guard
Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp, Elphaba's paraplegic younger half-sister who is now the Governor of Munchkinland
Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman, a Munchkin who now works as Nessarose's servant
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the former Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University, who works for the Wizard
Peter Dinklage as the voice of Doctor Dillamond, a talking Goat and former history professor at Shiz University
Bowen Yang as Pfannee, one of Glinda's college friends who now works as one of her assistants
Bronwyn James as ShenShen, another one of Glinda's college friends who now works as one of her assistants
Sharon D. Clarke as the voice of Dulcibear, a talking Brown Bear and Elphaba and Nessarose's former childhood nanny
Colman Domingo as the voice of Brrr the Cowardly Lion, a talking Lion who was rescued as a cub by Elphaba and Fiyero, and later befriends Dorothy Gale.
Additionally, Keala Settle, Adam James and Alice Fearn reprise their roles from the first movie, Miss Coddle, and Glinda's parents, respectively, during Glinda's wedding. Kerry Ellis, one of the actresses who played Elphaba on stage in both the Broadway and the West End productions of the musical, will appear in an undisclosed cameo role. Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl transported to the Land of Oz with her dog Toto, will make an appearance, having a more prominent role compared to the original second act of the musical.
== Production ==
=== Development and pre-production ===
A film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked was announced in 2012, with scheduled release dates of December 20, 2019, December 22, 2021, December 25, 2024, and November 27, 2024. After numerous delays, the film eventually secured a release date of November 22, 2024. In April 2022, director Jon M. Chu announced that the adaptation would be split in two parts, saying:As we prepared the production over the last year, it became impossible to wrestle the story of 'Wicked' into a single film without doing some real damage to it ... As we tried to cut songs or trim characters, those decisions began to feel like fatal compromises to the source material that has entertained us all for so many years. We decided to give ourselves a bigger canvas and make not just one 'Wicked' movie but two! With more space, we can tell the story of 'Wicked' as it was meant to be told while bringing even more depth and surprise to the journeys for these beloved characters.
Stephen Schwartz echoed Chu's sentiment in June, while also confirming that a new song was in the works for one of the two films:We found it very difficult to get past 'Defying Gravity' without a break ... That song is written specifically to bring a curtain down, and whatever scene to follow it without a break just seemed hugely anti-climactic ... Even as a very long single movie, it required us cutting or omitting things that we wanted to include and that we think fans of the show and the story will appreciate. What we have discussed is that changes need to be 'additive,' to use (producer) Marc Platt's term. They need to add something to the story or the characters. They can't just be changes to do something different. I feel confident that by the time the movie is made, if we all continue to have the same degree of input, I could have a conversation with anyone who has a question about any of the changes made from the stage show and justify why I think it's better for the movie.
In November 2022, Schwartz revealed that the film will include two new songs "to meet the demands of the storytelling." In December 2024, Chu revealed that the film will have a much darker tone compared to the first film, and that the character of Dorothy Gale will have a more prominent role compared to the musical's second act.
=== Filming ===
Principal photography began alongside Wicked on December 9, 2022, and had nearly been completed by July 2023 before production was suspended due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Both films resumed production on January 24, 2024, and concluded filming on January 26. The song vocals were recorded live on set at the insistence of Erivo and Grande, with Academy Award-winning production sound mixer Simon Hayes collaborating with Chu on the recordings of the actors' vocals, using a variation of the same recording techniques that were implemented on Les Misérables.
Chu cited Steven Spielberg's 1991 film Hook as inspiration for the use of large-scale sets and practical effects, including nine million colorful tulips planted on location to surround the Munchkinland set and an actual Yellow Brick Road paved on the ground with real mud. Many sets from the first film were repurposed for the second film, such as the life-sized train to Emerald City doubling as Glinda's personal locomotive, and the Governor's Mansion in Munchkinland constructed with elements from the Shiz University library and Madame Morrible's office. Chu also cited the 1998 films Pleasantville and The Truman Show as influences on how both films thematically portray the Land of Oz, saying "It helps create this idea of the rebelliousness that this new younger generation are discovering... How far will that take everybody in Oz throughout the course of the whole story of both movies? It's an awakening of a generation. You start to see the truth about things that maybe you were taught differently."
=== Post-production and visual effects ===
On February 6, 2024, it was confirmed that Industrial Light & Magic and Framestore provided the visual effects with Pablo Helman serving as visual effects supervisor, and that post-production work was in progress, with Chu working remotely with editor Myron Kerstein via communication through the newly released Apple Vision Pro. Editing on the film was paused during most of 2024 in order for Chu to finish post-production on the first film so he could understand how the sequel would continue the story. Post-production resumed in November 2024, immediately following the press tour and release of the first film, with editing done through Avid Media Composer. On October 3, 2025, Chu confirmed on Instagram that post-production had been completed.
On December 16, 2024, the film's official title was unveiled as Wicked: For Good, sharing its subtitle with the name of the musical's penultimate song. Chu defended the title as always having been the right choice compared to the film's working title, Wicked Part Two, though the latter was ultimately retained on certain international releases.
=== Music ===
The soundtrack album for Wicked: For Good will be released by Republic Records/Verve Label Group, Grande and Erivo's respective record labels, on November 21, 2025. In July 2024, it was revealed that John Powell would compose the incidental underscore for both films in the adaptation. Jeff Atmajian updated William David Brohn's original orchestrations for the songs and enlarged the orchestra from the stage version's original 23 musicians to 125 for the film. The musical's original music director Stephen Oremus will conduct the song cues, with Powell conducting the incidental score cues. Greg Wells, Oremus and Schwartz serve as music producers. In January 2025, Wells revealed he was in the process of recording live instrumentals, with recording scheduled to happen in May or June 2025 with the orchestra at AIR Studios, followed by mixing over the subsequent months. Later that month, a home studio belonging to Wells was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire, halting production. The soundtrack album became available for pre-saving on June 5, 2025.
==== Main musical numbers ====
"No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble" are new songs written specifically for the film, with the former written in collaboration with Erivo.
== Changes from stage musical ==
Splitting the film adaptation into two parts allowed the filmmakers to expand upon the relationships between the characters, particularly Elphaba and Glinda, so that movie audiences may understand them better. The sexual content of the musical and the novel were also toned down, so that both films could reach wider audiences and attain PG ratings from the Motion Picture Association.
Marissa Bode, who portrays Nessarose and uses a wheelchair in real life, revealed that her character's storyline was revised to prevent implications of ableism, most notably by having Nessarose gain the ability to fly instead of walking upright after her shoes are enchanted by Elphaba. Bowen Yang, who portrays Pfannee, revealed that his character (who previously was not in the second act of the stage musical, nor portrayed as male) will get his 'just desserts [sic]' for his actions.
== Release ==
Wicked: For Good premiered in São Paulo, Brazil at the Suhai Music Hall on November 4, 2025, with subsequent premieres in Paris at Le Grand Rex on November 7, London at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on November 10, Singapore at Universal Studios Singapore on November 13, and New York City on November 17. The film will be released theatrically by Universal Pictures in the United States on November 21, 2025, with engagements in RealD 3D, IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, ScreenX and D-Box. It was previously scheduled for release on November 26, 2025, and December 25, 2025, before being moved up to avoid competition with Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash, respectively. Advanced screenings of the film will take place on November 17, 2025, for Amazon Prime subscribers, and on November 20 for the general public. A one-time double feature of Wicked and Wicked: For Good will also be released in select theaters on the latter date.
Wicked: For Good was screened privately at the DGA Theater in Manhattan on October 27, 2025, with Grande, Chu, Platt, Schwartz, and members of the current Broadway cast in attendance. Two private screenings took place in London on November 9, ahead of the British premiere; one for members of the musical's West End production, and another for BAFTA voters that was followed by a discussion with members of the film crew, including cinematographer Alice Brooks and production designer Nathan Crowley.
=== Marketing ===
Work-in-process footage from both films in the adaptation, including first listens to Grande and Erivo's renditions of "Popular" and "Defying Gravity", was presented at CinemaCon on April 26, 2023, introduced on stage by Universal Pictures chairwoman Donna Langley. The first film's 60-second "First Look", which premiered during Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024, revealed brief clips of scenes from the second film that expand the plot of the musical's second act, including one of Glinda's wedding and another of the Wizard sending Dorothy and her traveling party to hunt Elphaba down. In February 2025, Chu revealed that the first official Wicked: For Good trailer would premiere sometime during the spring or early summer, after declining to have it air during Super Bowl LIX due to technical difficulties with the visual effects.
The two-minute theatrical trailer made its debut at CinemaCon on April 2, introduced on stage by Erivo, Grande, Chu and Platt. It was eventually released to the public on June 4, 2025, through a one-night limited theatrical re-release of Wicked, before premiering online afterwards. Simultaneously, the Shiz University website introduced in the first film's promotional campaign was updated, replacing links to the college's locations with an audio recording of Madame Morrible's propaganda speech against Elphaba, and a ticker tape urging visitors to report any "suspicious witch activity" to Morrible and the Wizard. Dr. Dillamond's classroom page was also updated to replace the lecture of Oz's history on the chalkboard with the phrase "Animals should be seen and not heard", a reference to the character's fate in the first film.
On June 9, Universal reported that the For Good trailer received 113 million views in its first 24 hours, surpassing the 75 million views made in the same time-frame by the first film's trailer. That same day, an episode of Lego Masters with challenges themed to Wicked aired on Fox in the United States as part of the series' fifth season. On August 6, a "First Look" featurette was released, containing behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Chu, Erivo, and Grande on the evolution between the two Wicked films. A final theatrical trailer was released on September 24, 2025.
For the sixth week of its thirty-fourth season, Dancing with the Stars held a "Wicked Night" where couples danced to songs from Wicked and Wicked: For Good. Chu appeared as a guest judge, while Erivo, Grande, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh appeared in video greetings to the audience. The episode aired on October 21, 2025, and included a never-before-seen clip of the "Wonderful" musical number. A musical television special, Wicked: One Wonderful Night, aired on NBC on November 6, featuring the cast and special guests performing songs from Wicked and Wicked: For Good live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
Tickets for Wicked: For Good went on sale on October 8, 2025. The following day, Fandango announced that the film became the site's best first-day ticket pre-seller of 2025, surpassing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, and Superman. It additionally became the biggest PG-rated first-day ticket pre-seller of all time, ahead of Frozen 2, the 2019 remake of The Lion King, and the sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters, and entered the top 10 best first-day ticket pre-sellers of all time on Fandango. Jerramy Hainline, EVP of Fandango Ticketing, said: "With last year's Wicked breaking records and captivating audiences around the world, it is no surprise that fans are racing to get their tickets to Wicked: For Good ... The first film became a true cultural phenomenon bringing new generations into the world of Wicked, and it's clear that fans can't wait to see how the story continues on the big screen." Deadline Hollywood projected the film to gross $112–115 million in its domestic opening weekend, on par with the $112.5 million opening gross of the first film.
=== Critical response ===
Early reactions to Wicked: For Good deemed the film superior to the first film and the second act of the stage musical, with Chu's direction and the performances of Erivo and Grande lauded. Destiny Jackson of Deadline Hollywood praised the film as an "epic and heartbreakingly tender conclusion to one of the most dynamic friendships in pop culture history", while Vanity Fair writer Chris Murphy highlighted the "exciting and innovative" additions to the plot, as well as the "jaw-dropping" performances of Erivo and Grande.
=== Accolades ===
== Future ==
In November 2024, Schwartz and Holzman stated they had discussed the possibility of "something" more associated with the Wicked film adaptation, but that it would not necessarily be a Wicked Part Three or Four. Since the first film's release, the adaptation overall is in the process of evolving into a media franchise, with theme park attractions based on the films currently in the works at Universal Destinations & Experiences.
== See also ==
Adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
List of films produced back-to-back
List of films split into multiple parts
== Notes ==
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
Wicked: For Good at IMDb
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