The wait for the second part of the highly anticipated adaptation of Wicked just got shorter. The premiere of Wicked Part 2 in theaters has been moved up to Thanksgiving in 2025. Originally scheduled for Christmas Day, 2025, the film will now be released on November 26, perfectly timed for the US Thanksgiving weekend. This release date comes exactly one year after the first part, which is set to drop on November 27, 2024. This change follows the previous announcement in March that Part 1 would also move from Christmas 2024 to Thanksgiving 2024.
The highly anticipated film is an adaptation of the long-running stage musical, which itself is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. The decision to split the musical into two films was made to faithfully capture the essence of the stage production and to showcase new musical numbers created specifically for the adaptation. Wicked, which made its Broadway debut in 2004 and has been enjoying a successful run ever since, offers a unique and alternate perspective on L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. It explores the challenging upbringing of Elphaba, the iconic green-skinned character, and delves into her complicated relationship with her friend Galinda. Elphaba’s journey sets her on the path to becoming the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, while Galinda transforms into the beloved good witch Glinda.
Thanksgiving 2025: Wide-Open, For Now
While 2025 release dates are subject to change, especially with the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, some films have secured their place in the 2025 holiday season. By moving to Thanksgiving, Wicked Part 2 avoids competition with Avatar 3 and an undisclosed Star Wars film, both scheduled for release during that holiday season. However, the Thanksgiving release now pits it against an unannounced Disney animated movie.
The director for both parts of Wicked is Jon M. Chu. The star-studded cast includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Galinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz. The films will be produced by Marc Platt (La La Land) and David Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with David Nicksay, Stephen Schwartz, and Jared LeBoff serving as executive producers. Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz will adapt the stage production for the screen.
Wicked Part 1 is set to hit theaters on November 27, 2024, while Part 2 will now premiere on November 26, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates, and don’t miss Collider’s exclusive interview with director Chu below.