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Wicked: For Good Opens Strong, Sets 2025 Preview Record

Early responses show enthusiastic ticket buyers, cooler critics, focus on reworked second‑act storytelling.

Overview

  • The second film in Jon M. Chu’s adaptation opened November 21, 2025, continuing the story led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
  • Deadline reported $30.8 million in Thursday previews, the biggest early premiere gross for any 2025 release.
  • Rotten Tomatoes shows a roughly 69% critics score alongside about 97% audience approval based on early reactions.
  • Coverage highlights a deliberate refocus on Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship, the addition of new Stephen Schwartz songs, and a reduced emphasis on Dorothy.
  • Composer Stephen Schwartz says he and book writer Winnie Holzman are exploring an Oz “adjunct” project rather than a direct sequel, with format not yet determined.