The magical land of Oz is set to return to cinemas in grand fashion, as Wicked: For Good prepares for its highly anticipated release. The second part of the two-part adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked—itself inspired by The Wizard of Oz—will hit theaters on November 21, 2025, according to BroadwayWorld and People. Director Jon M. Chu promises that this concluding chapter will deliver a richer, more emotionally complex journey, with powerful performances from an all-star cast and a few surprises for even the most devoted fans.
Fans have been buzzing since the first film’s release, but the excitement has only grown as details about the sequel trickle out. In a recent exclusive interview with People, Chu shared his vision for the film’s emotional depth and narrative ambition. “This is where you get to see Cynthia [Erivo] and Ariana [Grande] really come to life as actors,” Chu said, referring to the two leads who portray Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. “This is their adult selves looking back at their childhood dreams, that are now shattered in front of them. So when you look back, I think people will see both movies as one, not just the first movie and the second movie. I’m excited to complete the story for people.”
That sense of completion is at the heart of Chu’s approach. As he told iNews, the two-part structure has allowed the creative team to honor the original musical’s depth and emotional arcs. “There’s extra meat on this one,” Chu teased, promising that the sequel will provide a satisfying conclusion to the characters’ journeys. He also hinted at “a few surprises that they’re not thinking about right now,” designed to delight and challenge longtime fans.
The story picks up years after the events of the first film, with Elphaba now living in exile, demonized as the Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda enjoys fame and popularity as the glamorous symbol of Goodness in Emerald City. As Glinda prepares for a spectacular wedding to Prince Fiyero, she’s haunted by her separation from Elphaba and attempts to broker a conciliation between her old friend and The Wizard. These efforts, however, are doomed to fail, driving a deeper wedge between the two women and setting the stage for the film’s emotional climax. According to BroadwayWorld, the aftershocks of these failed reconciliations will transform supporting characters like Boq and Nessarose, and the arrival of Dorothy Gale—who will appear mostly in shadow—will further complicate the lives of everyone in Oz.
The cast for Wicked: For Good is nothing short of stellar. Cynthia Erivo returns as Elphaba, while Ariana Grande reprises her role as Glinda. They’re joined by Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond, Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Bronwyn James as ShenShen, and Sharon D. Clarke as the voice of Dulcibear. A notable new addition is Colman Domingo, who will voice Brrr, the Cowardly Lion—a character rescued as a cub by Elphaba and Fiyero. The film will also introduce a younger version of Glinda, mirroring the inclusion of young Elphaba in the first installment.
Filming for both movies began in December 2022 at Elstree Studios in the U.K. However, production faced an unexpected hurdle when the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike brought everything to a halt with just ten days left of shooting. The team resumed work in early 2024, officially wrapping on January 26, 2024. To further refine the film, reshoots took place in March 2025, allowing Grande and Erivo to add new dialogue and moments, especially to the movie’s title song. These changes, according to costume designer Paul Tazewell—an Oscar nominee for his work on West Side Story—helped enhance the film’s emotional resonance and visual spectacle.
Music remains at the core of the Wicked experience. The sequel will feature iconic numbers from the stage musical, including “Thank Goodness,” “As Long As You’re Mine,” “No Good Deed,” and “For Good.” Fans can also look forward to two brand-new songs: “No Place Like Home,” performed by Erivo’s Elphaba, and “The Girl in the Bubble,” sung by Grande’s Glinda. According to composer Stephen Schwartz, these new additions were crafted “because of the demand of the story, not, ‘Oh, let’s write a new song and stick it in just because.’ The storytelling required it, and therefore they were created—the intention was that they were organic and not imposed on the movie.” Schwartz worked closely with film composer John Powell to blend new underscoring with the familiar themes, ensuring a seamless musical journey.
Several departures from the stage show have been confirmed. For instance, Glinda’s wedding is a new addition, raising the stakes and complicating her relationships with both Fiyero and Elphaba. “It’s life or death for all of them, so a wedding seemed appropriate,” Chu explained. The inclusion of Dorothy Gale bridges the gap between Wicked and L. Frank Baum’s classic tale, though her presence is more symbolic than central. Nessarose’s character arc also diverges from the original, as she will fly in her wheelchair rather than walk after a spell. Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose, told GoMag, “I am so happy with the change, the old narrative was outdated, and I’ll be honest, it was really fun to fly through the air on set. Overall, the shift makes a lot of sense to me, considering ‘everyone deserves a chance to fly.’” Schwartz echoed this sentiment, saying the change was made to respect the perspectives of the PWD community.
At its core, Wicked: For Good is about friendship, forgiveness, and the choices that define us. As Chu reflected during a Dancing with the Stars appearance, “I think we’re all a little bit Elphaba, but a little bit Glinda. I think that’s the point of the movie—that we struggle. No one’s wicked and no one’s good. We’re all just a little bit in between, and we are the average of what we choose every day to be.”
With a runtime of around two hours and eighteen minutes, the sequel promises an epic, emotionally charged finale. The combined runtime for both films will approach five hours, offering fans a truly immersive Ozian experience. Wicked: For Good will not be available on streaming services until months after its theatrical debut, but when it does, it’s expected to land on Peacock, given Universal Pictures’ distribution rights.
With its blend of iconic music, fresh storytelling, and a dazzling cast, Wicked: For Good stands poised to become a landmark cinematic event. For fans old and new, the journey back to Oz promises to be unforgettable.
