Last year’s cinematic sensation, Wicked, topped the charts, leaving fans across the globe longing for its epic finale, Wicked: For Good. Set to release on November 21, 2025, the sequel will continue following best friends Glinda and Elphaba on their respective journeys of self-discovery. Early interviews promise the new film will be bigger, darker, and more emotional as the story comes to a close.
Before the films, Wicked had been adapted as a hit Broadway musical from its original publication as a book entitled, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The dark fantasy novel was written by Gregory Maguire in 1995, following the Wizard of Oz film release more than 50 years prior. The book reimagines the classic story of Dorothy Gale’s experience in the Land of Oz through the eyes of the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, better known as Elphaba. Only decades after the releases of its precursors, though, the idea of turning the popular book and musical into a film began to take shape in 2010.
In April 2022, when Jon M. Chu, the director, announced that the film would be split into two parts, fans were quite upset, seeing as they would have to wait a year in between the films. But Chu’s statement still stood. “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 … 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.” Since then, though, fans have begun to come to terms with the split. There is an entire second movie to look forward to, after all.
The first film ends with the famous song “Defying Gravity,” ending at the same place that intermission would happen in the musical. The song has been a staple in the theatre industry since Wicked’s broadway debut in 2003. The last scene shows Elphaba riding her broomstick, breathing deep as she finally feels free of all expectations. Cynthia Erivo’s renowned riff ends both the song and the movie, leaving the audience craving more of the story. The words, “To be continued,” flash across the screen, only adding to the audience’s growing excitement.
Wicked (2024) has since been nominated for ten Oscars, winning two, and has won two Academy Awards and one Golden Globe. It has grossed over $750 million worldwide, making it one of the top-grossing films of 2024. Needless to say, Wicked was extremely successful and I have no doubt that its sequel will live up to the high standards set by its predecessor.
According to “wickedmovie.com,” the official website for the film franchise, Wicked: For Good, will take place a few years after the events of Wicked (2024). Elphaba, who is now known as “The Wicked Witch of the West,” is still desperately trying to save the animals. Glinda, who the people of Oz call, “Glinda the Good,” has become a public figure and the embodiment of pure goodness. During the film she is meticulously watched over by Madame Morrible and the Wizard, who continue to oppress the animals of Oz. The movie will follow the two witches as their relationship is put to the test with both a love triangle and the arrival of Dorothy Gale from Kansas.
Wicked: For Good will star the returning Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphba and Glinda, respectively. The film also features Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. Jon M. Chu, known for directing chart toppers Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights, will once again take the director’s chair in the upcoming sequel.
Filming primarily took place in the UK, where the crew planted 9 million vibrant tulips on-site to surround the Munchkinland set. Further, the Yellow Brick Road was paved on the ground with real mud! Chu cited the films Pleasantville and The Truman Show in reference to how both Wicked films portray the Land of Oz.
As for the adored soundtrack, there are two new additions written specifically for the film. The first is titled, “No Place Like Home” and was written in collaboration with Erivo, and the second is titled “The Girl in the Bubble.” These are sure to match the rest of the soundtrack’s excellent quality and add to the compelling storytelling that will come in the film.
With its lovable characters and dazzling special effects, the film franchise reminds audiences of the idea that good and evil aren’t always as clean-cut as they may seem. The new installment will continue to explore this theme through the lens of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship. Fans can purchase tickets to the long-awaited finale here.
