Universal Pictures has rescheduled the release of Wicked: Part Two, pushing its debut to November 21, 2025, a few days earlier than the previously planned November 26, 2025. This strategic shift positions the film ahead of Disney’s Zootopia 2, which was slated for the same date.
This move mirrors Universal’s approach with Wicked: Part One, which now opens on November 22, 2024, the same day as Paramount’s Gladiator 2. The studio hopes to replicate the box office success seen with the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, where audiences flocked to see both films on the same day, potentially creating a buzz with contrasting themes—men in gladiator gear and women in fairy-tale costumes.
Directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Marc Platt, Wicked: Part Two continues the story from the hit Broadway musical, delving into the origins of the witches of Oz. The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, who is ostracized for her green skin, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, who is privileged yet unaware of her true self. The ensemble cast includes Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Jeff Goldblum.
With an extensive promotional campaign underway at NBCUniversal upfronts and the Summer Olympics, Universal is banking on the musical’s strong stage roots to translate into box office success. While the original stage musical runs for 2 hours and 45 minutes, the film adaptation is split into two parts to better capture the expansive narrative.
