The Epic Runtime Revealed: How Long Is The 'Wicked' Movie (Part One & Part Two)?

The question of "how long is Wicked the movie" has a surprising answer that is far longer than most fans expected, with the two-part film adaptation clocking in at a combined total of almost five hours. As of the current date, December 18, 2025, the official runtimes for both films have been confirmed, revealing a massive cinematic expansion of the beloved Broadway musical that goes far beyond a simple stage-to-screen transfer.

The decision to split the story into two feature-length films was a bold move by director Jon M. Chu, which has resulted in a total runtime that nearly doubles the length of the original stage show. This extensive screen time promises to deliver a deep dive into the backstory of Elphaba and Glinda, ensuring that no essential plot points or character development from the source material are cut.

The Official Runtimes: A Tale of Two Epic Parts

The two-part adaptation of the musical, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, has been given a generous amount of time to tell the "untold story of the Witches of Oz." The runtimes confirm that director Jon M. Chu and screenwriter Winnie Holzman took full advantage of the split to expand the world and the characters' journeys.

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Wicked: Part One (2024) Runtime

The first installment, which premiered in 2024, focuses on the early days of Elphaba and Glinda's unlikely friendship at Shiz University. It covers the events of Act I of the stage musical.

• Official Runtime: 2 hours and 40 minutes (160 minutes)
• Release Date: November 27, 2024 (US)
• Key Detail: This first part alone is approximately 10 minutes longer than the entire Broadway musical's runtime (which is typically around 2 hours and 30 minutes, not including the intermission).

Wicked: For Good (Part Two) (2025) Runtime

The second film, which concludes the narrative, is titled Wicked: For Good. It picks up immediately after the events of the first film, covering the stage musical's Act II, which is notably shorter in the original production but has been significantly fleshed out for the screen.

• Official Runtime: 2 hours and 17 minutes or 2 hours and 18 minutes (137-138 minutes)
• Release Date: November 21, 2025 (US)
• Key Detail: The combined total runtime for the two films is approximately 4 hours and 57 minutes, offering a near five-hour cinematic experience.

This massive total length demonstrates the filmmakers' commitment to exploring the nuances of the source material. The extended runtimes allow for the inclusion of new scenes, the expansion of major ensemble numbers, and a deeper exploration of the political and social backdrop of the Land of Oz.

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Why The Movie Is So Much Longer Than The Broadway Show

The most common question among fans is how a stage show that runs under three hours (including a 15-minute intermission) can be adapted into two films totaling nearly five hours. The answer lies in the creative vision of director Jon M. Chu and the source material's complexity.

Expanding the World and Character Arcs

The primary reason for the extended runtime is the need to transform a theatrical experience into a cinematic epic. The stage musical is tightly focused on the dynamic between Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland. However, the film adaptation aims to broaden the scope.

• Deepened Backstories: The film takes more time to show the characters' formative years at Shiz University, allowing the audience to fully grasp the depth of Elphaba and Glinda's evolving friendship and rivalry.
• World-Building: The movie expands on the political landscape of Oz, providing more context for the rise of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the manipulation by Madame Morrible. This includes new scenes and locations not seen on stage.
• No Cuts to the Music: Director Jon M. Chu was adamant about not cutting any of Stephen Schwartz's iconic songs, such as "Defying Gravity" and "Popular," which necessitated more screen time to properly frame the musical numbers cinematically.

New Songs and Scenes to Justify the Split

To ensure the two-part structure felt complete and justified, the filmmakers added new material. This expansion is a key contributor to the overall length of both films.

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• New Original Songs: Composer Stephen Schwartz wrote new songs specifically for the film adaptation. For instance, Wicked: For Good features two new tracks: "The Girl in the Bubble," sung by Glinda, and "No Place Like Home," performed by Elphaba. These additions enhance the emotional journey of the main characters.
• Filling Out Act II: The second act of the stage musical is notoriously shorter and faster-paced. Wicked: For Good (Part Two) is significantly expanded to provide more development for characters like Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq, and to give the story's climax the cinematic scale it deserves.

The Star-Studded Cast and Key Entities

The immense runtime gives the ensemble cast ample opportunity to shine and develop their characters beyond the confines of the stage. The film is anchored by two powerhouse leads and supported by a cast of veteran actors, all of whom are key entities in the film's topical authority.

Main Cast and Characters (Key Entities)

The following actors and their roles are central to the nearly five-hour narrative:

• Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp (The future Wicked Witch of the West)
• Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland (The future Glinda the Good)
• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar (The love interest)
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible (Headmistress of Shiz University)
• Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp (Elphaba's sister)
• Ethan Slater as Boq (A Munchkin boy in love with Glinda)
• Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond (A professor at Shiz)
• Keala Settle as Miss Coddle
• Bowen Yang as Pfannee

The extended screen time is crucial for showcasing the complex relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, allowing the audience to truly understand the choices that lead one to become the Wicked Witch of the West and the other, Glinda the Good. The runtime is not just about being long; it is about being thorough, ensuring a complete and satisfying cinematic journey across both parts.

The Final Verdict: Is The Nearly 5-Hour Runtime Worth It?

For fans of the original musical, the extended runtime across two films is a definitive win. Director Jon M. Chu's decision to split the story was not merely a financial one, but a creative necessity to honor the dense narrative of Gregory Maguire's novel and the beloved songs of the musical.

The 2 hours and 40 minutes of Wicked: Part One and the 2 hours and 17 minutes of Wicked: For Good ensure that the film has the space to explore the political themes, the emotional depth of the friendship, and the sheer spectacle of the Land of Oz without feeling rushed or truncated. The two-part structure effectively replaces the single intermission of the stage show, giving audiences a natural break before diving back into the second, more dramatic half of the story.

In short, the answer to "how long is Wicked the movie" is a promise: a total commitment of nearly five hours, split over two years, to deliver the definitive, most detailed, and visually spectacular version of the Oz prequel story ever told.