The Shocking Truth: 3 Reasons Why ‘Wicked: Part One’ Left Peacock (And When It Returns)

The question "Is *Wicked* leaving Peacock?" has a definitive and somewhat surprising answer: Yes, it already did. As of today, December 12, 2025, the blockbuster musical adaptation *Wicked: Part One*, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is no longer available to stream with a standard Peacock subscription. This unexpected and relatively short streaming window has left millions of Ozians—fans of the beloved Broadway musical—scrambling to find out where to catch the film before the highly anticipated sequel, *Wicked: For Good*, arrives.

The film’s departure from the platform is a perfect example of the complex and ever-changing world of streaming rights, even for a Universal Pictures title, which owns Peacock. The movie, which premiered on Peacock on March 21, 2025, made its exit on July 20, 2025, giving subscribers a mere four-month exclusive window. This detailed guide breaks down the timeline, explains the reasons behind the move, and provides the only way to watch the film right now.

The Definitive *Wicked: Part One* Streaming Timeline

To understand the current viewing status of the film, it is essential to look at the official release schedule for *Wicked: Part One* (also known as *Wicked*), the first installment in director Jon M. Chu’s ambitious two-part adaptation of the iconic musical. This timeline shows exactly when the film was available in theaters, for purchase, and on the Peacock streaming service.

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• Theatrical Release: November 22, 2024. The film’s initial run in cinemas worldwide.
• Digital Release (PVOD/EST): December 31, 2024. The movie became available to purchase or rent on premium video-on-demand services (PVOD) like Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.
• Peacock Exclusive Streaming Debut: March 21, 2025. The film began its exclusive streaming window on Peacock, Universal Pictures’ proprietary streaming platform.
• Peacock Departure Date: July 20, 2025. The film was officially removed from the Peacock library, just four months after its debut.

This short, exclusive window is a key reason for the confusion among fans. The expectation for a major studio title to remain on its parent company's streaming service for at least six to twelve months was not met, leading to the urgent "is *Wicked* leaving Peacock" searches.

3 Reasons Why *Wicked: Part One* Has Already Left Peacock

The departure of a blockbuster like *Wicked* from its home streaming platform, especially so quickly, is rarely a simple decision. It’s part of a sophisticated financial and distribution strategy by Universal Pictures. Here are the primary factors that led to Elphaba and Glinda’s temporary exit from the platform.

1. The Strategic Streaming Rights "Windowing"

The most common reason a movie leaves a streaming service is due to pre-negotiated licensing agreements, often referred to as "windowing." While Peacock is owned by Universal’s parent company, Comcast, the studio sometimes licenses its biggest titles to other platforms for a lucrative, non-exclusive second streaming window. This strategy maximizes revenue by selling the film's rights multiple times.

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The initial four-month exclusive window on Peacock serves to drive new subscriptions to the service. Once that goal is met, the film is often pulled to allow for a period of digital-only purchasing and rental revenue, and then potentially to be licensed to a competitor (a "pay-one" window) before eventually returning home to Peacock. This ensures that the film continues to generate income across various distribution channels long after its theatrical run.

2. Maximizing Digital Rental and Purchase Revenue

When a major motion picture is removed from a subscription service like Peacock, it forces viewers who missed the window to purchase or rent the film digitally. As of December 2025, the only way to watch *Wicked: Part One* is through digital retailers like Prime Video, Apple TV+, and others. By removing the film from the subscription tier, Universal ensures that all current viewing revenue is generated through higher-margin transactions, a significant financial boost for the studio.

This move is particularly strategic in the lead-up to the release of *Wicked: For Good*. Fans who want to refresh their memory of the first part must now pay a rental or purchase fee, guaranteeing a new wave of revenue before the sequel hits theaters.

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3. Clearing the Slate for *Wicked: For Good*

*Wicked: Part One* is just half of the story. The sequel, *Wicked: For Good*, premiered in theaters on November 21, 2025. Universal is likely managing the streaming rights to ensure a massive and highly publicized streaming debut for the second part. By pulling *Part One* off Peacock, they can create a new wave of excitement and urgency when both films eventually stream together.

This staggered release strategy builds anticipation for the entire saga. The studio wants the streaming debut of *Wicked: For Good* to feel like a major event, and having *Part One* off the service for a period helps to elevate the perceived value of its return.

Where to Watch *Wicked: Part One* Right Now (December 2025)

Since the movie is not currently streaming on Peacock, fans must use one of the following methods to watch the film as of today, December 12, 2025:

• Digital Purchase or Rental: The film is available to buy or rent on all major digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV+, Vudu, and Google Play. This is the only option for immediate viewing.
• Physical Media: The film was released on packaged media (Blu-ray, DVD, 4K UHD) in February 2025, which provides a permanent, non-streaming option.

For those waiting for *Wicked: Part One* to return to a subscription service, the exact date is not yet confirmed. However, it is highly likely to return to Peacock in late 2026 or 2027 after its second streaming window (if it is licensed out) concludes, or it may return just before the sequel's streaming debut to offer the complete story.

When Will *Wicked: For Good* Stream on Peacock?

The focus has now shifted to the streaming debut of the second film, *Wicked: For Good*. Following the pattern established by the first movie, a strong projection for the sequel's Peacock arrival can be made.

Theatrical Release of *Wicked: For Good* was in November 2025. If it follows the same 4-month-or-so window as *Part One* (Theatrical Release to Peacock Streaming), the projected streaming debut for *Wicked: For Good* is on or around March 21, 2026. This is when the conclusion to the story of Elphaba and Glinda is expected to arrive exclusively on Peacock.

In the meantime, the quest to watch the first film requires a digital purchase. While *Wicked: Part One* has left Peacock, its departure is a temporary, strategic move. The entire saga will eventually be reunited on the platform, but for now, the only way to defy gravity is to buy or rent the film on digital platforms.