Universal’s hit Broadway-musical-turned-movie Wicked arrived in theaters Nov. 22, and obsessed fans are already itching for its second act. The film instantly found a wide audience and began breaking records. Opening weekend, it earned $114 million at the domestic box office, and over $630 million globally since its release. The original record-holding classics Grease and Mamma Mia! must retire the honor — Wicked is now the highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time.
Luckily, fans won’t have to wait too long to see part two. The sequel, now titled Wicked: For Good, will dance and sing its way back into theaters Nov. 21, 2025, adding it to the list of the most-anticipated movies coming out in 2025. Almost exactly one year after the release of Wicked, audiences will get to revisit the bewitching world of Oz and its enchanting leads, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), as the duology finishes their story with a flourish. For anyone who can’t wait until its silver-screen debut, here’s everything we know so far about the production status, cast and crew, and expected plot of Wicked: For Good.
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Wicked: For Good
Release Date
November 26, 2025
‘Wicked: For Good’ Wraps Production
Director Jon M. Chu won’t have to worry about unexpected filming delays or working around his cast’s schedules when it comes to Wicked: For Good. The second movie wrapped production back in Jan, 2024. In an interview with Deadline, Chu revealed that the two acts were shot and cut together ahead of Wicked’s recent release.
To maintain the story’s cohesion, the Crazy Rich Asians director felt that a double-production made the most sense. Chu explained, “I cut both of them at the same time last year so I could watch both of them back to back, and wait til that happens. It’s a doozy to see both. I needed to know that every scene in one had an intention for two, and we put that to bed.” Besides some post-production tweaks and final editing, the film is already finished and ready for its 2025 premiere.
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The Cast and Crew: Who Can Fans Expect?
Since Wicked and Wicked: For Good were produced simultaneously, viewers can look forward to the same team working on the latter, both on and off-screen. Although Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry was originally attached to the project in 2016, Chu took over the role in Feb. 2021, and there won’t be any more changes because filming is already complete. Additionally, Winnie Holzman, the writer known for adapting Gregory Maguire’s bestseller into the Tony-award-winning musical Wicked, wrote the screenplay for both parts alongside co-writer Dana Fox.
Since the story will be picking up where the first movie left off, the entire original cast of Wicked is also expected to return. Erivo will be back to spellbind as Elphaba, along with Grande’s ever-popular good-witch Glinda. Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey will also reprise his Winkie Prince role, Fiyero, Ethan Slater will return as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessaroe, and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. And, of course, the sequel wouldn’t be complete without Jeff Goldblum’s conman Wizard of Oz.
Accompanying these familiar faces, some new ones to look out for are Dorothy, her dog Toto, and the Cowardly Lion. Despite being teased in some trailers, the three characters have yet to be introduced, nor have their casting details been revealed. However, some fans theorize that Dorothy will be played by Abigail actress, Alisha Weir, after noticing her silver shoes at Wicked’s premiere (the ruby slippers were originally silver in the books). Overall, with the same cast and crew working on both movies, it’s safe to say that anyone who loved Wicked is going to love Wicked: For Good, too.
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Act Two: The Sequel Will Likely Follow the Musical’s Plot
On stage and on-screen, Wicked’s first part ends with Elphaba’s iconic number, “Defying Gravity.” Through this marked separation and overall adherence to the original plot, the adaptation stays true to the Broadway musical. While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Chu discussed the decision-making process for how to bring the story to theaters without losing what made it a classic. Instead of trying to fit all the songs, dance numbers, and plot into one three-hour film, his team “agreed that [they] were splitting it up,” and focused on its emotional elements to prevent an abrupt intermission. Thus, fans can anticipate Wicked: For Good to also stick closely to the musical’s second act. So, no need to worry about any major cuts, especially for those still waiting to hear their favorite songs.
Plot-wise, Wicked leaves audiences with Elphaba flying away from the Emerald City, the Wizard, and Madame Morrible, working in opposition to their iniquity. On the other hand, Glinda stays put, hoping to fix the cruel system from within.
The first film focuses on choices, and the sequel will pivot to consequences. The isolated Elphaba will embrace how the propagandized public now perceives her: as the Wicked Witch of the West. Separately, Glinda’s reputation soars, embodying hope throughout Oz. The friends become distant as their paths diverge, allowing the film to explore their complex and fractured relationship. Overall, Wicked: For Good will mainly highlight the growing tension between its leads, the manipulation of those in power, and fighting injustice regardless of personal fate. Additionally, the story will lead up to the events seen in The Wizard of Oz. As a result, viewers can also expect to learn the origins of L. Frank Baum’s legendary characters and relish their on-screen reappearance.
Wicked is in theaters now. It will also be available for digital rental or purchase across platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video starting Dec. 31, 2024.
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