There’s no review yet — not because the film isn’t ready, but because the rules won’t let anyone write one. As of November 21, 2025, Universal Pictures still held critics under embargo for Wicked: For Good, the long-awaited sequel to its record-breaking musical adaptation. The film, set to premiere worldwide on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, hasn’t been seen by the public — or by reviewers — until Friday, November 22, when embargoes officially lift at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. That’s not a glitch. It’s standard procedure. But with $180 million poured into each film, and a $360 million total budget, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Why the silence isn’t silence at all
The absence of reviews isn’t a lack of interest — it’s a carefully timed media event. Critics attended preview screenings in London, Los Angeles, and New York between November 19 and 21, 2025. But according to Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial guidelines, no outlet — not The New York Times, not The Guardian, not Variety — can publish a word until Friday. Even the most eager reviewers are bound by contracts. The result? A quiet storm. Industry insiders are buzzing. Box office trackers at Box Office Pro are already predicting a $150–$175 million domestic opening, contingent on how critics respond. That’s a lot riding on a single Friday.The legacy behind the lens
Wicked isn’t just another movie. It’s a cultural institution. The Broadway musical, born at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco in 2003 and later taking over the Gershwin Theatre in New York, has played over 7,486 shows as of December 2024. It’s the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history. Composer Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman turned Gregory Maguire’s dark, feminist reimagining of The Wizard of Oz into a global phenomenon — grossing over $1.5 billion. Now, Jon M. Chu, who directed Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, is tasked with translating that magic to the screen — twice.Principal photography wrapped on July 15, 2023, at Sky Studios in Elstree, England, after a grueling 223-day shoot. The cast is stacked: Cynthia Erivo as the misunderstood Elphaba, Ariana Grande as the glittering Galinda, Jonathan Bailey as the charming Prince Fiyero, and Michelle Yeoh as the chilling Madame Morrible. Jeff Goldblum, as the Wizard, brings just the right amount of eerie whimsy. The script, co-written by Holzman and Dana Fox, had to balance the stage show’s emotional core with cinematic expansion — a challenge that delayed production for years.
Delays, disputes, and dollars
The road to this moment was paved with setbacks. Originally slated for 2019, the film was pushed back due to script rewrites and the pandemic. Then came legal drama: Maguire Estate LLC filed a lawsuit in June 2024 over derivative rights, claiming Universal overstepped in expanding the story beyond Maguire’s novel. The case, Maguire Estate LLC v. Universal Pictures (Case No. 1:24-cv-04321), is still pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Meanwhile, Universal filed its own copyright registration for Wicked: For Good in January 2025 — a clear signal they’re preparing for battle.The budget? $180 million per film. That’s more than most blockbusters. And it shows. From the elaborate costuming to the digital recreations of Oz, every frame screams ambition. But money doesn’t guarantee success. Wicked: Part One opened to $114.2 million domestically on November 29, 2024 — strong, but not record-shattering. Analysts at Barclays project $250–$300 million globally for Part Two — but only if critics don’t pan it.
What happens after the embargo lifts
On Friday, November 22, 2025, the floodgates open. The world will finally know if Wicked: For Good lives up to its legacy — or if it’s just another expensive, well-intentioned misfire. Will Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse vocals carry the emotional weight? Will the film’s darker themes resonate with audiences who loved the musical’s spectacle? And will the ending — which expands the story beyond the stage — feel earned, or forced?The premiere in London at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on November 25 will be star-studded, with cast and crew expected to walk the red carpet under the glow of global media. But the real test comes the next day — when the public buys tickets, and critics publish their verdicts. One thing’s certain: if the reviews are glowing, this won’t just be a movie. It’ll be a cultural reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there no reviews for Wicked: For Good yet?
No reviews have been published because major outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Variety are bound by an industry-wide embargo that expires at 12:01 AM ET on Friday, November 22, 2025. Critics attended screenings from November 19–21, but are legally prohibited from publishing until then — a standard practice for high-profile releases to ensure fairness and synchronized coverage.
How much did Wicked: For Good cost to make?
Each film in the two-part adaptation cost $180 million to produce, totaling $360 million — the most expensive musical film ever made. Universal Pictures financed both installments entirely, with costs including elaborate sets, digital effects, and a star-studded cast. The budget reflects the scale of adapting a 20-year-old Broadway phenomenon with global fan expectations.
Who are the key people behind the film?
Director Jon M. Chu, known for In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians, helmed both films. Screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox adapted the Broadway book. Cast includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Galinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard. Producer Marc Platt, who brought the stage version to life, also produced the films.
What’s the box office outlook for Wicked: For Good?
Analysts at Barclays project a $250–$300 million global box office, contingent on critical reception. Part One earned $114.2 million domestically in its opening weekend, and tracking suggests Part Two could open between $150–$175 million domestically. International markets, especially the UK and Australia, are expected to drive strong numbers, given the musical’s global popularity.
Is there a legal dispute around the film?
Yes. The Maguire Estate LLC sued Universal Pictures in June 2024 (Case No. 1:24-cv-04321) over alleged copyright overreach, claiming the film expanded beyond the scope of Gregory Maguire’s novel. The case remains pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Universal filed its own copyright registration in January 2025, signaling its intent to defend the adaptation’s creative liberties.
How does Wicked: For Good differ from the Broadway show?
While the stage musical ends with Elphaba’s apparent death, the film sequel expands her arc, exploring her survival and political legacy in Oz. Screenwriters Holzman and Fox added new scenes to bridge the gap between Part One and the original novel’s darker ending, giving the story a cinematic conclusion that honors the musical’s emotional core while deepening its themes of power, identity, and redemption.
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