Kaylah Walton
Wicked made a spectacular entrance in theaters across the US. This adaptation of the popular Broadway show achieved a remarkable $19.2 million in preview earnings and is shaping up to be a major box office success during the holiday season.
Industry analysts anticipate that the film, helmed by John M. Chu and featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, could accumulate as much as $130 million in its opening weekend, rivaling the achievements of last year’s hit, “Barbie,” which also falls under the fantasy musical genre.
From the outset, Chu along with producers Marc Platt and David Stone intended to create a two-part movie adaptation. The outstanding performance of the initial film already paves the way for the sequel set for release next year.
Wicked 2 Release Date
According to IMDb, Wicked 2 is scheduled to debut on November 21, 2025, in the US. Initially, Universal Pictures considered launching the sequel on November 26 or December 25, but subsequently shifted the date to avoid clashing with the releases of Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash.
In various discussions, Chu and the production team have articulated that the decision to split the film into two parts was made to honor the original material and to allow for greater exploration of both character arcs and the rich world of Oz.
Filming for Wicked 2 commenced simultaneously with the first part in July 2022. Though production faced interruptions due to the SAG-AFTRA strike in July 2023, it resumed in January 2024 and is now in the post-production stage.
What Fans Can Expect from Wicked 2
Erivo and Grande will reprise their roles as “Elphaba” and “Galinda,” respectively. The storyline is set to continue from where the initial film ended, focusing on Elphaba’s journey as she navigates her new reputation as the “Wicked Witch of the West,” while Galinda, now known as “Glinda the Good,” has the task of safeguarding Oz from her former friend.
While not officially confirmed, it is anticipated that Chu will incorporate many beloved musical numbers from the Broadway version. Additionally, the director has indicated plans to include scenes that are directly adapted from the original book, heightening excitement among fans and the media alike.
