Directed by Jon M. Chu.
Wicked: For Good was released on November 22, 2025.
Distributed by Universal Pictures.
Wicked: For Good (2025) Review
Wicked: For Good is a big, emotional ending to the story of Elphaba and Glinda.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are the heart of the movie, Erivo brings powerful emotion, while Grande adds warmth and charm.
The film looks beautiful, with huge musical scenes and stunning views of Oz.
However, the movie can feel slow at times, and it tries to fit in too many storylines, which makes some parts confusing.
Not every song is memorable, and the long runtime may feel heavy for some viewers.
Still, when the movie works, it really works.
The friendship between the two witches feels real, and the major emotional moments hit hard.
Fans of the first film will enjoy the ending and the visual magic, while new viewers may still appreciate its beauty.
It’s a beautiful but uneven final chapter with plenty of heart and unforgettable moments.
CR Rating – 6.8/10
Wicked: For Good Actors
Ariana Grande-Butera as Galinda “Glinda” Upland
DOB: June 26, 1993.
Bio: American singer, actor, and performer who transitioned from Broadway-trained child actor to global pop superstar before returning decisively to musical cinema.
She first gained attention on stage in 13 before becoming a household name on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and Sam & Cat.
Over the 2010s, she built one of the most successful pop careers of her generation, known for extraordinary vocal range, control, and agility.
Role: Glinda begins as Galinda, a privileged, image-conscious student whose charm and ambition mask emotional immaturity.
By Wicked: For Good, she has become the highly visible symbol of goodness in Oz.
The sequel deepens Glinda’s internal conflict as she balances political power, public expectation, romantic compromise, and the unresolved fracture of her bond with Elphaba.
Interesting facts: Grande specifically requested to be credited as Ariana Grande-Butera for the Wicked films, honoring her childhood identity and early theater career.
Notable works: Victorious, Sam & Cat, Scream Queens, Wicked: Part One, Wicked: For Good, multiple Grammy-winning and chart-topping music albums.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp
DOB: January 8, 1987.
Bio: British actor and singer whose career bridges elite musical theatre and prestige film.
She is a Tony Award winner, Grammy Award winner, Emmy Award winner, and Academy Award nominee, placing her among the few performers recognized across all major entertainment disciplines.
Role: In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba’s journey deepens as she becomes the figure Oz fears, distorts, and mythologizes.
Now openly opposing the Wizard’s regime, Elphaba embraces resistance to protect sentient Animals and expose institutional lies.
These choices push her further from Glinda and closer to the legend history will rewrite as villainy.
Interesting facts: Erivo’s performance was a central focus of the film’s early promotion, particularly her live-sung musical numbers.
Notable works: Harriet, The Color Purple (stage), Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar
DOB: April 25, 1988.
Bio: British actor with a strong foundation in musical theatre and a rapidly expanding international screen career.
Trained through stage work before breaking out on television, Bailey is known for his charisma, emotional clarity, and ability to balance romantic charm with internal conflict.
Role: Fiyero Tigelaar is a carefree Winkie prince who evolves into the Captain of the Gale Force.
In Wicked: For Good, his arc becomes morally and emotionally central as his loyalties are pulled between Glinda and Elphaba.
No longer content with privilege or detachment, Fiyero must confront the cost of choosing love, truth, and resistance in a society built on illusion.
Interesting facts: Press coverage highlighted his chemistry with both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, as well as his physicality in large-scale musical sequences that required extensive rehearsal and choreography.
Notable works: Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers, Crashing, Company (West End revival).
Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman
DOB: June 2, 1992.
Bio: American musical theatre actor celebrated for his highly physical performances and emotional openness on stage.
He earned a Tony nomination for originating the title role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, a performance that showcased his elastic movement, vocal control, and ability to make heightened characters deeply human.
Role: Boq is a kind-hearted Munchkin whose unrequited love and desire to belong place him on a tragic path.
In Wicked: For Good, Boq’s storyline explores the unintended consequences of emotional dependence, political manipulation, and magical interference.
Interesting facts: Slater’s extensive musical-theatre training made him particularly suited to Boq’s physical and emotional evolution, including prosthetic and movement-heavy sequences in the sequel.
Notable works: SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, Assassins (Broadway revival), Fosse/Verdon.
Bowen Yang as Pfannee
DOB: November 6, 1990.
Bio: American comedian, writer, and actor who rose to prominence as a breakout cast member on Saturday Night Live, where he became known for razor-sharp comic timing, character precision, and scene-stealing specificity.
Before joining SNL, Yang built a strong comedy résumé through podcasting (Las Culturistas), sketch work, and writing.
Role: Pfannee is one of Glinda’s Shiz University friends who later becomes part of her inner circle and public-facing entourage.
Alongside ShenShen, Pfannee functions as both comic commentator and social echo chamber, reinforcing Glinda’s carefully curated image.
Interesting facts: Yang has described Pfannee as someone who “sees everything but says only what’s safe,” hinting at moments where comedy gives way to emotional awareness.
Notable works: Saturday Night Live, The Other Two, Fire Island, voice work in animated features and series.
Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
DOB: August 6, 1962.
Bio: Malaysian-born international film star whose career spans martial arts cinema, prestige drama, and global blockbusters.
Trained in dance before transitioning to action films, she became renowned for her elegance, physical precision, and authoritative screen presence.
Role: Madame Morrible is the former headmistress of Shiz University and a revered professor of sorcery who later aligns herself with the Wizard as the chief architect and spokesperson of Oz’s political messaging.
In Wicked: For Good, Morrible’s manipulation intensifies as she weaponizes fear, misinformation, and spectacle to turn public opinion against Elphaba.
Interesting facts: Yeoh’s casting was widely praised for elevating Madame Morrible beyond theatrical villainy, grounding the character in realism and political menace.
Notable works: Everything Everywhere All at Once (Academy Award–winning role), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, Crazy Rich Asians.
Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
DOB: October 22, 1952.
Bio: American actor and musician known for his unmistakable delivery, intellectual eccentricity, and ability to blend charm with unease.
Rising to prominence in the 1980s, he became a defining presence in blockbuster cinema while continuing to pursue eclectic character work across drama, comedy, and genre films.
Role: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the self-appointed ruler of Oz, governing through illusion, propaganda, and spectacle rather than genuine magic.
In Wicked: For Good, the Wizard’s control of public perception becomes more explicit as his administration accelerates the persecution and imprisonment of sentient Animals.
Interesting facts: Goldblum’s casting was widely discussed due to his unconventional screen persona, which critics noted brought humor and unpredictability to the Wizard without undercutting the character’s menace.
Notable works: Jurassic Park, The Fly, Independence Day, Thor: Ragnarok, The Grand Budapest Hotel, extensive character roles across film and television.
Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp
DOB: August 28, 2000.
Bio: American actor whose screen debut in the Wicked films marked a major breakthrough.
A wheelchair user herself, Bode’s casting was widely recognized as a meaningful step toward authentic disability representation in a major studio musical.
Role: Nessarose Thropp is Elphaba’s younger sister, born without the green skin that marks Elphaba as an outsider but living with a physical disability that shapes her identity and worldview.
In Wicked: For Good, Nessarose rises to become the authoritarian Governor of Munchkinland.
Interesting facts: Bode’s casting was extensively discussed in press and fan communities as a landmark moment for disability representation in blockbuster filmmaking.
Notable works: Wicked (film), stage/TV guest work.
Colman Domingo ‘voice of’ Brrr the Cowardly Lion
DOB: November 28, 1969.
Bio: American actor, playwright, and director whose career spans acclaimed stage work, prestige television, and major studio films.
Known for his commanding voice, emotional intelligence, and ability to balance vulnerability with authority, Domingo has become one of the most respected performers of his generation.
Role: Brrr is the Lion cub rescued by Elphaba earlier in the Wicked story, later revealed to become the Cowardly Lion of Oz.
In Wicked: For Good, Brrr’s arc gains deeper thematic importance as the consequences of Oz’s oppression of Animals escalate.
Interesting facts: Domingo’s casting was widely praised for elevating a traditionally symbolic character with emotional gravity.
Notable works: Euphoria, Fear the Walking Dead, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Rustin, Extensive Tony-nominated and award-winning stage work
Sharon D. Clarke ‘voice of’ Dulcibear
DOB: August 12, 1966.
Bio: Sharon D. Clarke OBE is a highly acclaimed British actor and singer whose career spans West End theatre, Broadway, film, and television.
A multiple Olivier Award winner and Tony Award recipient, Clarke is celebrated for her rich contralto voice, emotional authority, and ability to ground heightened material with warmth and dignity.
Role: Dulcibear is the Animal nanny who raises Elphaba and Nessarose during their childhood, representing one of Elphaba’s earliest experiences of care, kindness, and loss.
In the Wicked films, Dulcibear’s presence underscores the tragedy of Oz’s treatment of Animals and helps emotionally anchor Elphaba’s lifelong fight against injustice.
Interesting facts: Clarke’s West End musical credentials made her a natural pick for a spoken/sung animal role with heart.
Notable works: Caroline, or Change (Tony Award-winning performance), Doctor Who Holby City, Rocketman, Extensive West End and Broadway musical theatre work.
Bronwyn James as ShenShen
DOB: July 24, 1994.
Bio: English actress and singer with a strong background in musical theatre.
She has steadily built her screen career through supporting roles in musical adaptations, bringing charm, comedic timing, and expressive vocal skills.
Role: ShenShen is one of Glinda’s college friends and personal assistants.
In Wicked: For Good, she supports Glinda both professionally and emotionally, providing lighter, humanizing moments that contrast with the high-stakes drama of Oz.
Interesting facts: Her musical-theatre training allows her to deliver both vocal performances and nuanced interpersonal beats, enhancing the ensemble dynamic around Glinda.
Notable works: Wicked (films), stage and other screen roles.
Keala Settle as Miss Coddle
DOB: November 5, 1975.
Bio: American singer and actress known for her powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence.
She gained international recognition for her breakout performance in The Greatest Showman and is celebrated for bringing warmth, empathy, and charisma to supporting musical roles.
Role: Miss Coddle is a secondary figure in Oz’s social and academic circles.
In Wicked: For Good, she contributes to the richness of Emerald City and Shiz University, participating in ensemble numbers and helping to flesh out the communities surrounding the main characters.
Interesting facts: Settle’s stage and musical background allows her to make even smaller roles feel vibrant and memorable.
Notable works: The Greatest Showman, stage musical work.
More Actors
• Adams James as Galinda’s Popsicle.
• Michael Guarnera as Gale Force Captain.
• Herbie Kinsey as Gale Force Guard.
• Scarlett Spears as Young Glinda.
FAQ – Wicked: For Good (2025) Movie
What is Wicked: For Good about?
Wicked: For Good is about Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship, Elphaba’s rise as the Wicked Witch, and the magic, politics, and choices that shape their world.
Is Wicked: For Good a sequel?
Yes. It is the second part of the two-film adaptation of the Wicked musical.
Is Wicked: For Good the final movie?
Yes. It is the conclusion to the two-part film adaptation of the Wicked musical.
Do I need to watch the first Wicked (2024) before this one?
Yes. The story continues directly from the first film, so watching Part One helps the sequel make sense.
Are there new songs in Wicked: For Good?
Yes. The sequel includes additional songs not found in the original Broadway show.
Where was it filmed?
Wicked: For Good was mainly filmed in England (Elstree Studios and scenic countryside locations) with some outdoor desert scenes shot in Egypt.
How long is the movie?
Runtime is about 2 hours 17–18 minutes (roughly 2h 18m).
Conclusion
Wicked: For Good closes the story with heart, beauty, and emotional weight.
Even though the pacing can feel slow and the plot sometimes tries to do too much, the film’s strongest moments shine brightly.
The bond between Elphaba and Glinda remains the true highlight, supported by powerful performances and stunning visuals.
If you enjoy musical films, emotional storytelling, and big cinematic worlds, this finale will leave you satisfied.
It may not be perfect, but it delivers a touching, meaningful end to one of modern cinema’s most beloved stories.