Wicked 2: Release Date, Plot Details, and What Fans Can Expect

The Wicked 2 movie, which is based on the legendary Broadway musical, has drained just fine in U.S. theaters. The film earned $19.2 million in previews and should make a lot of money from its opening week. The film, directed by John M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is projected to bring in as much as $130 million, echoing the success of last year’s mega-hit Barbie, which was another fantasy musical.

Wicked 2: What We Know So Far About the Sequel Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Wicked Part 2: What We Know So Far

From the get-go, director John M. Chu used his star power and that of producers Marc Platt and David Stone to ensure the Wicked adaptation went the two-for-one route. With such huge success from the first movie, the sequel is practically guaranteed as audiences may wonder what lies in wait next for the Oz saga.

When Is Wicked 2 Coming Out?

As per IMDb, Wicked 2 is set to be released in theaters on November 21, 2025. Universal Pictures was originally aiming to release it sometime in late November or Christmas, but they moved it to get out of the way of other big tentpole releases, including Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Dropping the sequel in late 2025 provides plenty of space for the first film’s success to carry into its follow-up.

Why Split the Film into Two Parts?

Chu and the film’s producers have explained that the idea to split Wicked into two films was made with the intent to respect the source material and provide deeper insights into the characters as well as the magical world of Oz, and filming on Wicked 2 began alongside the first part in July 2022. Production was halted briefly due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which affected productions in mid-2023, but shooting resumed in January 2024 and the film is currently in post-production.

Wicked 2: What’s Next for Elphaba and Galinda?

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will return as Elphaba and Galinda, and the story will pick up directly where that first film concluded. Elphaba now faces the challenges of being branded the “Wicked Witch of the West,” while her once-friend Galinda, now “Glinda the Good,” must protect Oz from her. Although not officially confirmed, it’s expected that Chu will incorporate many of the beloved musical numbers from the Broadway production, as well as scenes drawn directly from Gregory Maguire’s original book, adding to the excitement surrounding the sequel.

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