Wicked: For Good, the epic conclusion to Jon M. Chu’s two-part musical adaptation, premiered on November 21, 2025, earning a 73% Rotten Tomatoes critics score (down from the first film’s 88%) but an exceptional 97% audience score (up from 95%), proving audiences embrace the darker, more emotionally complex second half over critical reservations. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in career-defining performances, the film explores the fracturing friendship between Glinda and Elphaba amid societal upheaval and the looming conflict with Dorothy. Director Jon M. Chu orchestrates stunning production design, controversial new songs by Stephen Schwartz, and powerhouse vocal performances that earned both leads Oscar nominations for the first film, positioning Wicked: For Good as the emotional apex of the franchise. The original Wicked (2024) shattered box office records with $701 million worldwide ($460.6M domestic, $240.4M international), making it the highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time and the third-highest-grossing film of 2024, establishing an unprecedented foundation for the sequel.
Cast, Director, and Writer
Director: Jon M. Chu (In the Heights, Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Writers: Winnie Holzman (screenplay), Dana Fox (screenplay), Gregory Maguire (based on novel)
Composer: Stephen Schwartz (returning, with two new songs: “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble”)
Main Cast:
– Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp / The Wicked Witch of the West
– Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland / Glinda the Good
– Jonathan Bailey as Prince Fiyero Tigelaar / Scarecrow
– Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard
– Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
– Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond
– Bowen Yang as Boq
– Ethan Slater as Nessarose Thropp
– Marissa Bode as Nessarose (other scenes)
– Scarlett Spears as Young Glinda
Producers: Marc Platt, David A. Rosenfeld
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Runtime: 137 minutes
Rating: PG
Review & Ratings
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 73% (Fresh, based on 102+ reviews)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score (Popcornmeter): 97% (vs. original film’s 95%)
Critical Consensus: Darker, more emotionally complex, and more intimate than the first film, with powerhouse performances from Erivo and Grande that elevate material while facing mixed reception for new songs and pacing challenges.
Critical Highlights:
– **Performances:** Erivo and Grande are “powerhouses,” with critics praising their “deeply felt,” “jaw-dropping,” and “magnetic” connection. Grande “steals the show” with expanded character depth showing “tender depths” beyond the first film’s “one-dimensional” role. Erivo’s “No Good Deed” is hailed as “a showstopper” and “an impressive visual set piece.”
– **Emotional Impact:** The finale duet “For Good” is described as “a legitimate tearjerker,” with reviewers noting audiences “started sniffling and sobbing.” The title song “for Good” earns particular praise as an “epic and heartbreakingly tender conclusion.”
– **Production Design:** Art Nouveau-style sets, ornate costumes, and scale remain “dazzling” and “astonishing,” though critics note increased reliance on virtual effects vs. practical elements.
Critical Reservations:
– **New Songs:** The two new Schwartz compositions (“No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble”) are serviceable but lack “staying power” of the main soundtrack. Some feel they’re less memorable than existing Wicked standards.
– **Pacing:** Some critics feel the two-part split leaves the second half “stretched,” with “pacing stumbles” and story beats that meander.
– **Narrative Issues:** The film remains “committed to overlapping with the timeline of The Wizard of Oz,” creating timing constraints that limit storytelling possibilities. Character development for Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero feels “underused.”
Roger Ebert Assessment: “The real special effects come from the deeply felt performances… the duet that gives the film its title finds just the right amount of tenderness and sadness… Poignant and intimate, it’s a legitimate tearjerker. Bring tissues.”
Audience Reception: Fans celebrate the film as “pure cinematic joy,” with many praising the “richer, darker” emotional landscape, the expanded Glinda storyline, and the friendship dynamics between the leads. User reviews average 8/10, with overwhelming positivity despite some criticism of stretched pacing.
Original Wicked (2024) Box Office Success
Worldwide Box Office: $701 million
– Domestic (US & Canada): $460.6 million
– International: $240.4 million across 80 markets
Production Budget: $150 million
Return on Investment: 467% (4.67x multiplier)
Opening Weekend Performance:
– Domestic Opening: ~$112 million (Thanksgiving weekend)
– Global Opening: Record-breaking for musical adaptations
Top International Markets:
1. United Kingdom: $74.3 million
2. Australia: $28.9 million
3. Germany: $16.9 million
4. South Korea: $15.2 million
5. Mexico: $10.2 million
6. Netherlands: $7.9 million
7. Spain: $7.1 million
8. France: $6 million
9. Philippines: $5.6 million
10. Brazil: $4.4 million
Historic Achievements:
– Highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time (surpassing Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables)
– Highest-grossing Oz-related film ever
– Highest-grossing musical film from Universal Pictures
– Third highest-grossing film of 2024 (globally)
– Won Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
– Ariana Grande’s feature film debut
– Received BAFTA nominations for Cynthia Erivo (Actress) and Ariana Grande (Supporting Actress)
– Academy Award nominations: Best Actress (Erivo), Best Supporting Actress (Grande), Best Picture, Best Director
Premium VOD Performance: After theatrical release, Wicked earned $70 million in its first week on PVOD—Universal’s highest first-week VOD revenue ever recorded, extending the film’s profitability well beyond theatrical run.
Why Wicked: For Good Represents the Franchise’s Emotional Apex
While critics cite technical concerns and pacing issues, Wicked: For Good succeeds emotionally by deepening character relationships and forcing both Elphaba and Glinda into moral complexity. The film’s willingness to damage their friendship while maintaining audience investment creates genuine stakes absent from simpler narratives. Ariana Grande’s expanded screen time and character development prove particularly impactful, suggesting the filmmakers recognized opportunities missed in part one. The finale’s dual performance of “For Good” becomes the franchise’s emotional cornerstone, earning its tearjerker status through two films of character investment. Despite critical reservations, the 97% audience score confirms fans embrace the sequel as the more emotionally resonant installment.
