Wicked Part One Runtime and Release Details
The official runtime for Wicked Part One is 148 minutes, or 2 hours and 28 minutes, making it one of the longest recent musical adaptations. The film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and was produced by Universal Pictures, a division of NBCUniversal. The movie premiered in London on November 16, 2024, and opened in U.S. theaters on November 22, 2024. You can check the latest screening times and formats on the official Universal Pictures site Universal Pictures.
Wicked Part One adapts the first act of the Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. The film was directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The production budget was reported at approximately $145 million, and the film features practical sets alongside extensive CGI for the Land of Oz. For background on the original stage production, see the show’s official site Wicked Musical.
Cast, Creative Team, and Production Companies
The principal cast also includes Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. The score and original songs were composed by Stephen Schwartz, who won multiple Grammy and Academy Awards for his work on the stage version. The film was shot at various locations in the United Kingdom, with principal photography wrapping in 2023. The production involved Universal Pictures and Marc Platt Productions, with distribution handled globally by Universal Pictures Forbes.
Jon M. Chu served as director, with a screenplay by Winnie Holzman and the late Stephen Schwartz adapting his own stage book. The cinematography was handled by Alice Brooks, and the costume design was led by Paul Tazewell, who won an Academy Award for Black Panther. The film features practical and visual effects by multiple vendors, with Industrial Light & Magic contributing to the Oz sequences. For information on the visual effects pipeline, see the Industrial Light & Magic site ILM.
Where to Watch Wicked Part One and Streaming Plans
Wicked Part One is currently playing in theaters worldwide, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and premium large-format screens. The theatrical window typically runs for 45 days before the film moves to digital purchase and rental platforms. After the digital window, the film is expected to arrive on Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal. For current streaming options and subscription details, see the Peacock site Peacock.
Physical media release, including 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, is expected approximately 90 to 120 days after the theatrical premiere. Digital pre-orders and pre-sales are already available on major platforms such as Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. The film’s soundtrack album was released alongside the movie and is available on major streaming services. For the official soundtrack listing, see the official Wicked soundtrack page Wicked Music.