The Shocking Truth: Why 'Wicked Part One' Is Longer Than The Entire Broadway Musical

The official runtime for the highly anticipated film adaptation of the first half of the beloved musical, Wicked: Part One, is a substantial 2 hours and 40 minutes (160 minutes), as confirmed by theater listings and production details in late 2024. This runtime immediately sparked curiosity and conversation among fans, as it is a truly epic length for a single act of a story. The sheer scale of the film, which only covers Act I of the stage production, is a clear indicator of director Jon M. Chu’s vision to transform the beloved musical into a sweeping cinematic event.

The most fascinating detail about the 2-hour and 40-minute runtime is its direct comparison to its source material. The entire original Broadway musical, which includes both Act I and Act II, clocks in at approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes of actual showtime, excluding the 15-minute intermission. This means that Wicked: Part One, focusing only on the origin story of Elphaba and Glinda up to the iconic "Defying Gravity" sequence, is actually longer than the complete stage show.

Wicked: Part One—The Key Creative Team and Cast

The extended runtime is a direct result of the creative team’s decision to split the story into two films, allowing for an unprecedented expansion of the world of Oz and the characters' backstories. The film is helmed by a powerhouse team of Broadway and Hollywood veterans who were committed to giving the story the space it needed to breathe and flourish on the big screen.

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• Director: Jon M. Chu (Known for Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights).
• Composer & Lyricist: Stephen Schwartz (Original Tony Award-winning composer).
• Screenwriters: Winnie Holzman (Original book writer) and Dana Fox.
• Producers: Marc Platt and David Stone.
• Elphaba: Cynthia Erivo (Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner).
• Glinda: Ariana Grande (Global pop star and actress).
• Fiyero: Jonathan Bailey (Star of Bridgerton).
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Jeff Goldblum.
• Madame Morrible: Michelle Yeoh (Academy Award winner).
• Boq: Ethan Slater.
• Dr. Dillamond: Peter Dinklage (Voice role).

This star-studded ensemble, combined with the vision of director Jon M. Chu, suggests that every minute of the 160-minute runtime is dedicated to a rich, detail-oriented cinematic experience. The film is officially titled Wicked: Part I and is set to be followed by its conclusion, Wicked: For Good (or Part Two), in late 2025.

Why the First Part Is So Much Longer Than the Stage Show

The decision to make Wicked: Part One a sprawling 2 hours and 40 minutes was not a casual one; it was a deliberate choice to enhance the narrative and character arcs that were often condensed in the stage production due to time constraints. Director Jon M. Chu and screenwriter Winnie Holzman were determined to make the first film feel like a satisfying, complete story, not just a cliffhanger.

Deepening Character Development

In the Broadway show, the rapid development of the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, from rivals to "best friends," happens quickly, primarily through the song "Popular." The film utilizes the extended runtime to truly flesh out their initial animosity at Shiz University and the gradual, complicated evolution of their bond. The extra screen time is devoted to moments of quiet connection, misunderstandings, and shared experiences that build a more believable emotional foundation for their eventual split. This focus on the relationship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) is central to the film's narrative success.

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Expanded World-Building in Oz

The original stage production relies heavily on theatrical suggestion for the world of Oz. The film, however, uses its length to immerse the audience in a fully realized, visually spectacular world. Scenes at Shiz University, the bustling, vibrant Emerald City, and the journey to meet the Wizard are all given more time to establish the socio-political climate of Oz, the rising anti-animal sentiment, and the oppressive regime that Elphaba is fighting against. This added context is crucial for understanding Elphaba's journey from misunderstood student to the Wicked Witch of the West.

Elaborate Musical Sequences and New Scenes

The film’s length also accommodates more elaborate and cinematic musical numbers. For instance, the sequence for the song "Dancing Through Life," which includes the famous Ozdust Ballroom scene, is significantly expanded. This allows for a deeper exploration of the social dynamics between the students, the introduction of Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), and Elphaba’s isolation. Furthermore, the plot involving Dr. Dillamond and the animal cruelty storyline is given more screen time, including a new, action-oriented sequence where Elphaba and Fiyero attempt a rescue, adding a sense of adventure and urgency that was not present in the original Act I.

A Complete Look at the Wicked: Part One Song List

Despite the extended runtime, Wicked: Part One does not introduce any brand-new songs, instead focusing on giving the existing Act I songs the full cinematic treatment they deserve. Composer Stephen Schwartz has confirmed that new material will be reserved for the second film, Wicked: For Good. The full track list for Part One ensures that all the iconic musical moments from the first act are present and accounted for in the 160-minute experience, culminating in the breathtaking "Defying Gravity."

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The Full Track List for Wicked: Part One

The film’s soundtrack features all the beloved songs that drive the first half of the story, serving as major plot points within the extended runtime:

• "No One Mourns the Wicked"
• "Dear Old Shiz"
• "The Wizard and I"
• "What Is This Feeling?"
• "Something Bad"
• "Dancing Through Life"
• "Popular"
• "I’m Not That Girl"
• "One Short Day"
• "Defying Gravity"

This extensive list of musical numbers, coupled with the expanded dramatic scenes, is what pushes the film's length past the two-and-a-half-hour mark. The final song, "Defying Gravity," is the emotional and visual climax of the film, and the extended runtime ensures that the audience is fully invested in Elphaba’s transformation before she takes flight.

Anticipating Part Two: Wicked: For Good

With Wicked: Part One running for 2 hours and 40 minutes, fans may wonder about the length of its sequel. The second film, Wicked: For Good (Part Two), is currently confirmed to have a runtime of 2 hours and 18 minutes (138 minutes).

This makes Part Two notably shorter than its predecessor. The reason for this difference is rooted in the source material. Act II of the stage musical is generally shorter than Act I and is driven by faster-paced plot developments and the fallout from Elphaba’s choices, rather than the extensive world-building and relationship establishment that dominates the first act. This two-part structure, with a combined runtime of nearly five hours, demonstrates a deep commitment by Universal Pictures and the creative team to honor the depth and complexity of Gregory Maguire's novel and the beloved stage musical. The length is not a burden; it's a promise of a fully realized, immersive journey to Oz.