Wicked is announced to be released in two parts, making many curious about the reason behind it. Part 1 featuring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in lead roles recently dropped in theaters. The fantasy musical movie follows Glinda and Elphaba forming an unexpected friendship. After their confrontation with The Wizard of Oz, their bond and lives change forever.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wicked’s two movies.

Why was the Wicked movie split into two parts?

Wicked is inspired by the Tony-winning Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz. The musical, in turn, is based on a Gregory Maguire novel. The movie mirrors the Broadway musical, which also consists of two acts. The current adaptation, which is running in theatres, wonderfully captures the young years of Glinda and Elphaba. It showcases the duo meeting at Shiz University and forming an unexpected alliance. It sets up the story for the green-skinned Elphaba, forging the path to become the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked: Part Two will pick up from the events of Part One, putting Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship to the test. They will likely take on their new identities of Good Witch and Wicked Witch, also impacting Oz forever. This will add an element of intrigue and emotionality for viewers, too. Wicked: Part 2 is slated to debut in theaters on November 21, 2025, featuring almost the same cast.

Director Jon M. Chu officially addressed splitting the movie into two parts in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). He acknowledged the challenge of incorporating a lengthy story into one single film. He tried trimming characters and songs, however, he felt it would not do the story justice and would compromise some original elements. Therefore, the best way he thought was to give space and split Wicked into two parts exploring the character arcs, twists, and depths nicely.