Summary
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Release: Wicked: For Good opens in U.S. theaters Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, with select back-to-back screenings Thursday, Nov. 20.
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Cast and tone: Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) return; early reviews praise the performances and note a more somber, character-focused follow-up.
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Dorothy reveal: British performer Bethany Weaver plays Dorothy in a deliberately anonymous, brief role reportedly 69 seconds and six words with production keeping her off premieres.
Wicked For Good lands in theaters this week, closing Jon M. Chu’s two-part sweep of Oz with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the center. The sequel leans into darker, quieter emotional territory while preserving spectacle when it counts. Alongside the release, casting surprises — most notably the reveal of Dorothy’s performer have become a talking point as audiences line up for opening weekend.
When does Wicked For Good premiere and where can I watch it?
Release details and early screenings you should know.
Wicked: For Good opens in U.S. theaters on Friday, November 21, 2025, with some chains offering back-to-back showings of both films on Thursday, November 20 for fans who want a full double feature. If you prefer a premium-format experience, the film has been marketed across multiple platforms (IMAX, Dolby, 3D or similar engagements depending on your theater).
If you want to rewatch the first movie before the sequel, Wicked is currently available to stream and/or purchase on major digital platforms and early reporting suggests the studio will set a post-theatrical streaming window as usual (check your local services for exact dates).
READ MORE: Wicked For Good Finally Announces Who Will Play Dorothy
Who stars in Wicked For Good and what roles do they play?
The sequel brings back the two leads with a supporting ensemble that expands Oz’s political and emotional landscape. Here’s a clear snapshot:
| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Erivo | Elphaba | Returns as the fugitive, grappling with grief, rage, and power. |
| Ariana Grande | Glinda | Evolves into a more complex “Glinda the Good”; critics single out her emotional scenes. |
| Jonathan Bailey | Prince Fiyero | Continues the romantic/political thread from the first film. |
| Ethan Slater | Boq | Supporting role rooted in the stage mythology. |
| Bowen Yang | Pfannee | Adds new comic and pathos beats to the ensemble. |
| Marissa Bode | Nessarose | Returns with continued ties to Elphaba’s story. |
| Jeff Goldblum | The Wizard | Noted for a quirky, memorable performance. |
| Michelle Yeoh | Madam Morrible | Part of Oz’s palace power structure. |
This cast fuels the film’s emotional core most reviewers point to Erivo and Grande as the engines of the movie’s resonance and urgency.
READ MORE: What Critics Really Think About Wicked For Good
Who is playing Dorothy in Wicked For Good and why was it kept a secret?
After months of speculation, the role of Dorothy in Wicked: For Good has been confirmed as Bethany Weaver, a British theater performer (also described in reports as a choreographer/dancer and pilates instructor). Production took unusual steps to keep the casting quiet: Weaver reportedly did not attend major premieres, her social media activity showed no promotion, and there were restrictions on cast and crew publicly interacting with her all to preserve the character’s intentional anonymity.
Why go to such lengths? Director Jon M. Chu has explained that Wicked is fundamentally Elphaba and Glinda’s story. Making Dorothy a fully visible, celebrity-driven presence would risk shifting the perspective and inviting inevitable comparisons to Judy Garland’s 1939 Dorothy. By keeping Dorothy faceless and brief, the film preserves the witches’ viewpoint and allows viewers to bring their own Dorothy image to the theater.
Reports also state Dorothy’s on-screen contribution is extremely limited about 69 seconds of screen time and six words which underscores that Weaver’s role is symbolic and catalytic rather than a central acting showcase.
READ MORE: The Beast in Me Filming Locations: Complete Season 1 Filming Guide
How does Wicked For Good expand Elphaba’s character compared to the first film?
Cynthia Erivo has said the sequel allows Elphaba to show wider facets of herself: the fierce defender, the grieving person whose loss can turn to rage, and a more sensual, grown-up complexity. Critics echo that the film digs deeper into character psychology — trading some of the first film’s spectacle for textured, intimate beats that let the protagonists breathe. Early reviews describe the sequel as darker, more somber, and more emotionally focused than its predecessor.
That tonal shift appears deliberate: director Chu framed the first movie as a “fairy tale” and the second as an aftermath where choices and consequences matter. The result is a movie that leans on performance and smaller musical moments to land emotional punches.
READ MORE: The Running Man Cast: Who Plays Who in Edgar Wright’s Thriller?
What are critics saying about Wicked For Good so far?
A snapshot of the critical mood heading into release.
The initial critical wave leans positive on performances and emotional payoff while noting the sequel’s different priorities:
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Strengths: Erivo and Grande receive consistent praise for their vocal work and acting; the film’s quieter, character-focused approach wins points for emotional depth.
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Reservations: Some critics find the second half’s structure uneven or reliant on the setup laid in Part One; a few note pacing issues or that the film sometimes feels stagebound.
Rotten Tomatoes and other review aggregators are already collecting a range of perspectives as press screenings roll out, and most roundups highlight the film as a satisfying if sometimes imperfect conclusion to the two-part adaptation.
READ MORE: Now You See Me 3 Streaming Details: How to Watch It
Should you see Wicked For Good on opening weekend?
If you loved the first film for its characters and music, Wicked: For Good is worth seeing in theaters not because it’s louder or flashier, but because the film leans into the emotional fallout of the story and centers two powerful lead performances. If you prefer a musical that’s all spectacle and little introspection, this sequel may feel more restrained. Either way, the theatrical sound and harmonies are being singled out in reviews as best experienced on the big screen.
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