Wicked: For Good hit theaters globally in Nov. 2025, creating an even bigger splash than the first movie. Following its record breaking success, this franchise continues to be a dominating force of modern entertainment. Upon its release, it grossed around $226 million globally on opening weekend alone, nearly 50% more than the $164 million Wicked grossed on its opening weekend in 2024.

Wicked: For Good is the sequel to Wicked. These movies are meant to be a retelling of the hit Broadway musical, Wicked, which is a spin on the classic Wizard of Oz from the 1930s. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have helped the duology become some of the most-watched movies over the last decade.

A part of this movie’s continued growth is its multi-talented cast. Erivo has been seen in challenging roles before, most notably her Broadway role as Cecile in The Color Purple. There, she provided fans with the same heart-wrenching, powerful vocals that she displays in these films. On the contrary, Grande has been a star in the public eye for many years, most known for her dominance in the pop industry. Her critically acclaimed best album thank u, next perfectly showcases her sound as a pop artist. When cast as Glinda in Wicked, she went through various acting and vocal lessons to retrain her vocals from her usual pop sound to Glinda’s operatic range. Other notable cast members include Johnathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Ethan Slater (Spongebob: The Musical), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park), and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once).

Director Jon M. Chu expressed immense joy and gratitude for the fan support of the sequel, stating in a Forbes interview that he was “really proud of the work.” Aside from opening weekend, the movie has grossed over $525 million, making the duology the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation ever.

Alongside its financial success, award season looked bright for this cast. The film was nominated for five awards at the Golden Globes. Erivo was nominated for “Best Actress” and Grande was recognized for “Best Supporting Actress,” though neither won. Erivo attributes her success to her personal relation with Elphaba through her book Simply More. 

While Wicked has already been a huge success for decades, this new movie offers things that cannot be seen on Broadway, such as new original songs. Erivo’s new solo song is called “No Place Like Home,” while Grande’s song is “The Girl in the Bubble.” Both songs offer emotional look-ins to the characters of Elphaba and Glinda that are not seen on the big stage. Grande’s single has charted on the Billboard Top 100, alongside their duet “For Good.” Grande says this opportunity was a pure gift and she’s proud to be in a “beautiful coven.” 

It is clear that this duology will have a strong grip on the entertainment industry for a long time to come. With its well-roundedness revolving around its storyline, its cast, its music, and its fanbase, fans have been changed for good by this movie.