When does ‘Wicked: Part 2’ come out? Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, plot and cast

With Wicked flying into theaters this weekend, fans may be wondering when the next chapter of the beloved musical film adaptation will arrive on the big screen. Here’s everything to know about Wicked: Part Two, including the release date, cast, plot details, and more.

Wicked serves as the first part of the movie adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, itself based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel that reimagines the characters from The Wizard of Oz books and films. With the original stage production split into two acts, the movie version will also be presented in two parts, with “Defying Gravity” serving as the end to Part 1.

Director Jon M. Chu revealed his decision to divide Wicked into two films in a social media statement in April 2022. He explained that it was the best way to fully explore the storyline, character arcs, and musical numbers without condensing them into a single movie.

“As we prepared this production over the last year, it became increasingly clear that it would be impossible to wrestle the story of Wicked into a single film without doing some real damage to it,” he said.

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The filmmaker continued, “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. So 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 of these beloved characters.”

During its opening weekend, Wickedearned an impressive $114 million, making it the third biggest domestic opening of the year behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. The film also brought in an additional $50.2 million at the international box office, bringing its global total to $164.2 million so far.

Wicked: Part 1 now holds the record for the biggest worldwide opening for a Broadway-based film, surpassing Les Misérables, which earned $103 million in its 2012 debut. If you’ve already watched Wicked in theaters, read on to find out when Wicked: Part Two will hit the big screen and get all the details on the final movie.

When Is Wicked: Part 2 Coming Out In Theaters?

Ariana Grande in Wicked.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Wicked: Part 2 is set to premiere in theaters on November 21, 2025—almost exactly one year after the first film’s release.

What Will Wicked: Part Two Be About?

Cynthia Erivo in Wicked.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Without giving away spoilers, Wicked: Part Two will pick up where Part One concluded—after Elphaba and Glinda discover that the Wizard is a fraud and Elphaba is declared the new enemy of the people of Oz. The next chapter will also delve into the events leading up to The Wizard of Oz, revealing how Elphaba ultimately becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and how Glinda transforms into the Good Witch.

“The first tells how Elphaba becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and the second tells how her best friend, Glinda, becomes authentically good,” producer Marc Platt explained in the production notes, per NBC.

Will Dorothy Be In Wicked: Part 2?

Dorothy’s (Judy Garland) ruby red slippers from the classic 1939 movie ‘The Wizard of Oz’. (Photo by … [+]

Getty Images
Dorothy makes a brief appearance in Wicked. As the camera pans across Oz before the song “No One Mourns the Wicked,” audiences can briefly see Dorothy alongside the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road.

As for whether Dorothy will have a bigger role in Wicked: Part 2, Chu told ScreenRant that her “presence is important” because Dorothy “plays a significant role in what will happen” in the events of Part Two.

The director also emphasized the importance of allowing audiences to envision Dorothy in their own way in the first movie, stating, “In movie 1, it was important to let Dorothy be how you want her to be. I didn’t want to step on your images of whatever version of Dorothy you wanted her to be.” He added that fans will “have to see movie 2 to know how far we go with her.”

Although Dorothy’s brief cameo in Wicked doesn’t warrant an actor’s credit, it’s unclear if the second installment will cast a big name to portray her in Part Two. After all, Dorothy remains mostly in the background in the Broadway musical, with the spotlight largely on Elphaba and her relationship with Glinda.

Has Wicked: Part 2 Already Been Filmed?

Ariana Grande in Wicked.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Yes, Wicked: Part Two has already been filmed. Both Wicked and Wicked: Part Two were shot back-to-back. Filming for the movie musical began in December 2022 and officially wrapped up in January 2024, after delays caused by the now-resolved Hollywood strikes.

Who Will Be In The Wicked: Part Two Cast?

Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh in Wicked.

Courtesy of Universal Pictures
All cast members from Wicked are expected to reprise their roles in the second installment, as the characters from Act I also play key parts in Act II of the original stage production. Check out the Wicked cast list below.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba
Ariana Grande Glinda
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz
Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero
Ethan Slater as Boq
Peter Dinklage as Doctor Dillamond
Marissa Bode as Nessarose
Bowen Yang as Pfannee
Bronwyn James as ShenShen
Keala Settle as Coddle

Stay tuned for more details about Wicked: Part Two. Watch the official trailer for the debut film, below.

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