Wicked: Part Two Gets a Magical New Title
The highly anticipated sequel to Wicked just got a shiny new title. Universal Pictures has officially rebranded the second installment as Wicked: For Good, and there’s a heartwarming reason behind it that die-hard musical lovers will instantly recognize.
The follow-up to Jon M. Chu’s blockbuster hit will still fly into theaters on Friday, November 21, 2025. But now, the fresh title pays a sweet tribute to one of the most emotional songs from the Wicked musical soundtrack.
Ariana Grande, who plays the bubbly and misunderstood Glinda, dropped the exciting news with a vibrant Instagram post alongside her co-star, Cynthia Erivo. Grande wrote, “You will be changed. Wicked: For Good, only in theaters November 21, 2025. 💚🦷” The dynamic duo even shared an 11-month countdown timer in their Stories.
Why For Good Matters
Why the name change? If you’ve seen the Wicked musical on Broadway or know the soundtrack by heart, you’ll immediately connect For Good to the moving duet between Glinda and Elphaba. The song marks a turning point in their story, as the frenemies-turned-friends reflect on how their bond has shaped them forever. It’s a tearjerker—so grab your tissues for the sequel, because Grande and Erivo are set to perform the iconic number together.
The Wicked films are adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which takes us deep into the untold story of Elphaba, Glinda, and all the magic that happens in Oz before Dorothy ever lands. While the first movie dazzled audiences over Thanksgiving 2024, the sequel promises to bring even more depth, surprises, and a whole lot of singing.
Why Two Parts? The Director Explains
If you’re wondering why Wicked has been split into two films, director Jon M. Chu has a simple answer: there’s just too much magic to fit into one movie. Back in 2022, Chu explained on X that condensing the beloved musical into a single installment would have done “real damage” to the story.
“As we prepared this production over last year, it became increasingly clear that it would be impossible to wrestle the story of Wicked into a single film without doing some real damage to it,” he said.
Screenwriter Winnie Holzman echoed that sentiment in a 2024 interview with ScreenRant, revealing that she, composer Stephen Schwartz, producer Marc Platt, and Chu agreed there was simply “too much story for one movie.”
The wait for Wicked: For Good is still long, but with Grande, Erivo, and Chu at the helm, it’s clear the sequel will deliver all the Ozian magic fans have been dreaming of. As the song goes, we’re certain Wicked’s sequel will change us—for good.
