Overview
- Industry tracking from Variety and TheWrap puts opening weekend between $150 million and $180 million in North America, while Universal signals $125 million or more.
- Fandango reports record presales for a PG-rated title, setting up a strong Thanksgiving corridor for the sequel’s Nov. 21 theatrical launch.
- Bethany Weaver has been identified as the performer behind Dorothy, whose face is never shown per director Jon M. Chu’s artistic choice to keep the focus on Elphaba and Glinda.
- Reviews are generally positive but cooler than Part One, with a Rotten Tomatoes score around 71–72% and consistent praise for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s performances.
- Coverage highlights a darker, more character-led second act adaptation with new Stephen Schwartz songs that some critics find thinner than the stage material.