The Shocking Truth About How Long 'Wicked' Really Is: Broadway Vs. The Nearly 5-Hour Movie Event

Are you planning a trip to the Emerald City? Whether you’re securing your tickets for the long-running Broadway phenomenon or preparing for the highly anticipated two-part cinematic event, one question is always top of mind: How long is Wicked? As of today, December 18, 2025, the answer is more complex—and much longer—than you might think. The original stage production offers a substantial evening of theatre, but the upcoming film adaptation has nearly doubled the total viewing time, making it a truly epic commitment for fans.

The duration of Wicked now depends entirely on your medium: the live musical or the two-part movie. The Broadway and West End stage show clocks in at a respectable length, typical for a major musical, but the decision to split the movie into two separate features has created a monumental, nearly five-hour cinematic experience that promises to delve deeper into the beloved story of Elphaba and Glinda.

The Definitive Runtimes: Broadway, West End, and the Two-Part Movie

The length of Wicked has become a major talking point in the entertainment world, largely due to the massive expansion of the story for the big screen. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the runtimes for every major version of this iconic story.

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• Wicked The Musical (Broadway/West End): 2 hours and 45 minutes (165 minutes)
• Intermission (Stage Show): 15 minutes
• Wicked: Part One (Movie): 2 hours and 40 minutes (160 minutes)
• Wicked: Part Two—For Good (Movie): 2 hours and 17–18 minutes (137–138 minutes)
• Total Film Saga Runtime: Approximately 4 hours and 57–58 minutes (297–298 minutes)

The most striking detail is the runtime of the first film, Wicked: Part One. At 2 hours and 40 minutes, the first movie alone is just five minutes shorter than the entire stage musical, including its 15-minute intermission.

The Broadway Musical Length: A Detailed Look

The original stage production of Wicked, which premiered on Broadway in 2003, is a standard-length musical. Its total runtime is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, which includes one 15-minute intermission.

• Act I: The first act is famously dense with world-building and character development, focusing on Elphaba’s arrival at Shiz University and her relationship with Glinda. It runs for approximately 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes).
• Intermission: A necessary 15-minute break allows audiences to stretch their legs, grab refreshments, and discuss the incredible "Defying Gravity" finale of Act I.
• Act II: The second act is slightly shorter, clocking in at around 60 minutes (1 hour). This act focuses on the darker turn in Elphaba's life as she becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.

It is important to note that the runtime of the stage show can vary by a few minutes depending on the speed of the orchestra, applause, and curtain calls, but 2 hours and 45 minutes is the official, expected duration.

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Why Is the 'Wicked' Movie So Much Longer?

The decision by director Jon M. Chu and the creative team to split the musical into two separate, lengthy films—a nearly five-hour saga in total—was a major deviation from the source material. The original musical, with a book by Winnie Holzman and score by Stephen Schwartz, was already a massive hit at its compact 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The primary reason for the expansion is a commitment to adapting the original source material, the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, with greater fidelity. The stage musical necessarily had to condense many plot points, characters, and sub-plots from the novel to fit the theatrical format. The film adaptation aims to restore these elements.

Director Jon M. Chu explained that trying to fit the entire story, including the beloved songs, new songs, and expanded lore, into a single film would have necessitated cutting major plot points or beloved musical numbers. The two-part structure allows for:

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• No Cuts to Iconic Songs: Every song from the original musical, including "Popular," "Defying Gravity," and "For Good," is included, along with new original songs.
• Deeper Character Development: The films can explore the backstories of secondary characters like Madame Morrible, The Wizard, and Fiyero, providing richer context for their motivations.
• Expanded World-Building: The visual medium of film allows for a more detailed and expansive depiction of the magical land of Oz, from Shiz University to the Emerald City.
• A More Gradual Narrative Arc: Splitting the story allows Part One to focus entirely on the origin story and the pivotal moment of Elphaba’s transformation, while Part Two can dedicate its time to the conflict and resolution.

The Two-Part Film Runtimes: A Breakdown

The cinematic journey of Elphaba and Glinda is a substantial time investment, totaling almost five hours across both films. This makes it one of the longest major musical adaptations ever released.

1. Wicked: Part One (2 Hours 40 Minutes)

The first installment, which covers the first half of the stage musical, is a whopping 160 minutes long. This runtime is a clear signal that the film will be meticulous in its detail, spending significant time on the early days of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) at Shiz University. It is expected to conclude with the iconic "Defying Gravity" sequence, which is the traditional Act I closer.

2. Wicked: Part Two—For Good (2 Hours 17–18 Minutes)

The final chapter, subtitled *For Good*, is shorter than its predecessor, clocking in between 2 hours and 17 minutes and 2 hours and 18 minutes. This film will cover the events of the stage musical's Act II, showing Elphaba's journey as the misunderstood Wicked Witch and the ultimate conclusion of her rivalry and friendship with Glinda. The slightly shorter runtime suggests a faster pace, focusing on the dramatic climax and resolution.

Key Entities and Production Facts

To fully appreciate the scope of the Wicked saga, it helps to understand the key figures and facts that define its creation and length.

• Original Novel Author: Gregory Maguire (1995)
• Musical Composer & Lyricist: Stephen Schwartz
• Musical Book Writer: Winnie Holzman
• Broadway Premiere: October 30, 2003
• Film Director: Jon M. Chu (Known for Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights)
• Elphaba (Film): Cynthia Erivo
• Glinda (Film): Ariana Grande
• Fiyero (Film): Jonathan Bailey
• The Wizard (Film): Jeff Goldblum
• Madame Morrible (Film): Michelle Yeoh
• Film Production Studio: Universal Pictures
• Wicked: Part One Release Date: November 27, 2024
• Wicked: Part Two—For Good Release Date: November 26, 2025

The incredible length of the two films—nearly five hours in total—reflects the ambition of the cinematic adaptation to be the definitive telling of the story, appealing to both die-hard fans of the musical and readers of Gregory Maguire's novel. The total runtime is a testament to the depth of the world and the complexity of the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, ensuring that no detail is left behind in this epic journey to Oz.