The sequel to Wicked Part 1, which everyone assumed was going to be called Wicked Part 2, has received a new name as the first film’s box office momentum has stalled far short of the lofty expectations many had for it.
The sequel film, which hits theaters in November 2025 will be titled Wicked: For Good.
You will be changed. Wicked: For Good, only in theaters November 21, 2025.💚🩷 pic.twitter.com/vBhTwNTVNa
— Wicked Movie (@wickedmovie) December 16, 2024
READ: Wicked Dolls with Obscene Website URL Back on Store Shelves at Universal Orlando
After its highly anticipated release in late 2024, the first installment of the Wicked film adaptation managed to carve out a respectable presence at the global box office, but it didn’t quite achieve the lofty earnings some industry insiders were expecting.
Much like Moana 2, the film is a success, but it fell far short of the billion dollar aspirations many seemed to have.
A screenshot from the trailer to Wicked, YouTube
While it certainly attracted die-hard theatergoers, longtime fans of the original Broadway show, and a swath of curious newcomers, the film ultimately struggled to match the financial heights of other recent female-driven, cross-generational hits. For context, many pundits drew parallels between Wicked Part 1 and blockbuster culturally resonant smash hits like Barbie, which soared well past the billion-dollar mark worldwide. That film grossed over $1.4 billion serving a similar target audience.
By comparison, Wicked Part 1 has settled into a still-impressive, yet comparatively modest $534 million as of this writing.
This disparity in earnings came despite a substantial production budget, a star-studded cast, and a marketing campaign that was (for better or worse…) everywhere. The performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were widely lauded, and critics praised the sumptuous visuals and careful adaptation of the stage production’s trademark magic.
A Screenshot of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the Wicked Movie Trailer, YouTube – Universal Pictures
READ: Mattel Sued Over ‘Wicked’ Merchandise Misprint That Sent Kids to Obscene Website
But outside the theater, star Cynthia Erivo spent her time attacking fans over perceived sleights and weeping during interviews while seemingly trying to make the entire production all about her. Not her as Elphaba, the main character of Wicked, whom the story arguably is all about.
Her as Cynthia Erivo, the actress.
A sign for Wizomania at the Wicked Experience in Universal Studios – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
She routinely stated that she was best suited to the role because of her race and sexuality, and everything from the poster to Elphaba’s hair had to reflect who she was as Cynthia Erivo. It’s possible this, coupled with Erivo and co-star Ariana Grande crying and clutching at one another in seemingly every interview they did, might have turned off a potentially larger audience.
Some questioned whether the film’s pacing, darker thematic elements, and niche appeal of musical theater could truly captivate mass audiences to the same degree as more universally accessible properties like Barbie. In the end, although it debuted strongly and maintained decent legs through the holiday season, Wicked Part 1 failed to break into the coveted billion-dollar club.
Margot Robbie as Stereotypical Barbie in Barbie (2023), Warner Bros. Pictures
READ: ‘Superman’ Preaches Goodness, But Political Subtext From James Gunn Stirs Unease
Again, that’s not to say the movie performed horribly. Industry experts estimated that the film’s break-even point was $375 million. It had a budget of $150 million, plus the film’s massive ad campaign cost another $150 million, according to industry insiders. Then, factoring in theater cuts, $375 million sounds like a logical profit margin.
Now, with the sequel’s newly announced title—Wicked: For Good—the creative team behind the adaptation appears committed to delivering a conclusion that can win over both ardent supporters and more casual viewers who might have found the first installment somewhat elusive.
The name itself references one of the musical’s most beloved and thematically resonant songs, hinting at a finale that may aim to connect more broadly and emotionally with audiences. However, many were left wondering why the film didn’t simply call itself Wicked: Part 2.
A Screenshot of Ariana Grande From the Wicked Movie Trailer, YouTube – Universal Pictures
Wicked: For Good, slated for November 12, 2025, will face intensified scrutiny and pressure to deliver a cultural moment akin to those of other major female-led franchises that have proven their global box-office might.
By acknowledging the shortcomings of the first film’s performance—relative not only to initial projections but also to benchmark titles like Barbie—the filmmakers can refocus their narrative, hoping the next installment will bring the franchise closer to the widespread, transcendent success for which it seemed originally destined.
Do you think Wicked: For Good will make more than Wicked: Part 1 at the box office? Do you think the antics and actions of Cynthia Erivo limited the movie’s box office appeal? Should the movie have just been called Wicked Part 2? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
UP NEXT: ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 4’ Greenlit Ahead of ‘Sonic 3’ Release
I hate that skank Cynthia Erivo so much that not even mild curiosity could get me to watch this abomination.
If the drop off in ticket sales and the utter failure of the movie internationally is any indication, the sequel is going to be a flop. Domestic alone can’t carry a movie with this kind of budget to real profitability.
$150m+$150m=$300m needed to recoup
$534/2=$267m profit
Yes, Disney gets a bit more than 50% during early domestic runs, theatres get a larger % in subsequent weeks, but Disney get substantially under 50% for Worldwide runs. On a balanced field it’s about 50%.