[This article includes significant spoilers from Wicked.]
Wicked fans can return to Oz soon, as Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation's second part releases on Nov. 21, 2025, a year after the first film. Wicked: Part Two stars Ariana Grande as Galinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, continuing the story.
The first film, released on Nov. 22, set a record with a $114 million domestic opening. Based on the 2003 musical and Gregory Maguire's novel, the screenplay was written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, with Stephen Schwartz adapting the musical. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth made cameos. The film concluded with Erivo's “Defying Gravity,” allowing Chu to split Acts 1 and 2 into two films. While the second film's adherence to the stage's Act 2 is unclear, Jeff Goldblum, as the Wizard, mentioned new songs by Schwartz, in a recent Interview.
Chu shared his vision with The Hollywood Reporter pre-release.
"In the filmmaking process, we aimed to stay true to the beloved show, facing challenges in deciding which musical numbers to cut without compromising the story. Ultimately, we chose to split the film into parts, ensuring each segment feels complete. The film delves into Elphaba's backstory and her friendship with Glinda, crucial for setting up the sequel. We filmed both parts over 160 days, pausing briefly due to a strike, but completed filming early this year. The cast remains consistent across both films. The second act of Wicked grows darker, with "Defying Gravity" marking Elphaba's transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West, as she opposes the Wizard’s oppressive plans, leading to a rift with Glinda."
Act 2 of the musical unfolds alongside the events of the original Wizard of Oz. Glinda and Fiyero address the citizens, with Morrible falsely recounting past events and announcing Glinda and Fiyero's engagement to quell fears about the Wicked Witch. Fiyero, still in love with Elphaba, departs due to the crowd's harsh remarks. Elphaba visits her sister Nessarose, now Munchkinland's governor, who has revoked Munchkin rights to keep Boq. Elphaba enchants their mother's shoes for Nessa, but Boq rejects her, and a spell gone wrong turns him into the Tin Man. The Wizard offers Elphaba a chance to join him again, but she refuses. Fiyero helps her escape, and they confess their love. Morrible and the Wizard plan to lure Elphaba by endangering Nessarose, causing the tornado that brings Dorothy to Oz and results in Nessarose's death.
Glinda and Elphaba argue over Nessa's shoes given to Dorothy but reconcile after Glinda warns Elphaba of a plan to kill her. Elphaba is seemingly melted by water. Glinda reveals to the Wizard that Elphaba was his daughter, expels him, and arrests Morrible. Fiyero, transformed into a scarecrow, rescues Elphaba, and they escape together. In the movie Wicked, Dorothy and her crew appear briefly, speaking with the Wizard, shown in silhouette.