Overview
- The second film opened in wide release on Nov. 21 with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande leading, continuing Jon M. Chu’s two-part adaptation.
- Thursday previews reached $30.8 million, the biggest early premiere sum of 2025, according to Deadline.
- Audience scores are exceptionally high at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, while the critic score sits around 69% Fresh.
- The adaptation adds two Stephen Schwartz songs and expands Glinda’s storyline, with Dorothy’s on-screen presence intentionally minimized.
- Composer Stephen Schwartz says he and co-writer Winnie Holzman are exploring ideas set in the Wicked world, emphasizing any future project must be creatively justified rather than a direct sequel.