Which Wicked Film Was Released First
The first Wicked film in release order is Wicked, the musical fantasy directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Productions, and DreamWorks Productions. The film premiered on November 19, 2024, in Los Angeles and opened theatrically in the United States on November 22, 2024, distributed by Universal Pictures, a division of NBCUniversal. The movie adapts the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, and features a star cast including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Box office tracking services and studio reports show the film grossing hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide during its opening weekend, positioning it among the top openings for musical adaptations. For background on the source material and early development timeline, the official Wicked movie site provides production notes and casting announcements. The second film, Wicked Part Two, is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025, continuing the story directly from where the first film ends.
Universal Pictures, the primary studio behind the Wicked franchise, is a division of NBCUniversal, which is itself part of Comcast Corporation. The production involved Marc Platt as producer alongside Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures, with the musical score and original songs by Stephen Schwartz. The first film's release date of November 22, 2024, was chosen to align with the traditional start of the holiday season, a common strategy for major studio tentpole releases. Industry tracking data and studio press materials indicate the film was rated PG-13 for fantasy action and thematic elements, and it was released in IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and standard formats across thousands of screens globally. The film's marketing campaign emphasized its connection to the long-running Broadway production, which has been running since 2003 and holds the record as one of the highest-grossing Broadway shows of all time. The first film's box office performance is being closely watched by analysts as a bellwether for musical adaptations in the post-pandemic theatrical market.
Wicked Part Two Release Date and Production Details
Wicked Part Two, the direct sequel to the first film, is currently scheduled for release on November 21, 2025, according to Universal Pictures' official release calendar. The film continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda, adapting the second half of the stage musical and the novel, with Jon M. Chu returning as director and Stephen Schwartz returning to write the songs. The production is again a joint effort by Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Productions, and DreamWorks Productions, with the same core cast reprising their roles. The sequel's release date was strategically set one year after the first film, following the pattern used by other major franchise films to maintain audience momentum.
Production on Wicked Part Two began shortly after the first film wrapped principal photography, with the majority of the cast and crew returning for the sequel. The film is expected to feature expanded visual effects sequences, new musical numbers, and deeper exploration of the political tensions in the Land of Oz. Universal Pictures has confirmed that the two films together form a complete adaptation of the stage musical, rather than a single extended cut split for logistical reasons. The studio's release strategy positions the two films as a single narrative event spanning two calendar years, with the first film's November 2024 release and the sequel's November 2025 release creating a sustained marketing and cultural moment. The production budget for both films combined is reported to be among the largest ever for a musical adaptation, reflecting the scale of the sets, costumes, and visual effects required.
How the Wicked Movies Fit Into the Broader Franchise Timeline
The Wicked film series is based on Gregory Mag