How Long Will Wicked Be In Theatres? The Ultimate 2024-2025 Theatrical Run Guide

The theatrical run of the highly anticipated musical fantasy Wicked: Part One is set to be a major event of the 2024 holiday season, but its exact duration depends on a few key factors, including box office performance and Universal Pictures' streaming strategy. As of December 13, 2025, the film is still soaring high in cinemas globally, having launched its US run on November 22, 2024.

The short answer is that Wicked: Part One is expected to remain in most major theaters for a minimum of 6 to 7 weeks, extending well into the new year, and could potentially stay on the big screen for up to 17 weeks before its primary streaming debut. This extended window is a testament to the film's blockbuster status, allowing fans multiple opportunities to see Elphaba and Glinda’s untold story on the largest screen possible.

The Definitive Wicked Theatrical and Streaming Timeline (Part One)

To fully understand how long Wicked will be in theatres, it’s essential to look at the official release dates for all distribution windows. Universal Pictures, the studio behind the film, follows a predictable pattern for its major tentpole releases, which gives us a clear roadmap for the film's journey from the cinema to your living room. The key dates for Wicked: Part One are as follows:

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

• US Theatrical Release Date: November 22, 2024
• Estimated Premium Video-on-Demand (PVOD) / Digital Purchase: Early January 2025 (Approximately 6-7 weeks after release)
• Official Streaming Release Date (Peacock): March 21, 2025
• Theatrical Window Duration: Approximately 17 weeks (November 2024 – March 2025)

The film's theatrical run is strategically timed to capitalize on the lucrative Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday box office season, meaning it will be a staple in multiplexes until at least the end of the year. For those who prefer the cinematic experience, this gives you ample time to catch the spectacle, but keep an eye on showtimes as the film moves into the new year.

How Universal Pictures’ Theatrical Window Works for Blockbusters

Universal Pictures has a unique agreement with major cinema chains like AMC that has redefined the traditional theatrical window. While the studio's standard deal allows for a film to be released on Premium Video-on-Demand (PVOD) as early as 17 days after its theatrical debut, this typically only applies to films that open with less than $50 million at the domestic box office.

Why Wicked is different: As a major, high-budget musical adaptation featuring A-list talent like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked is expected to be a massive box office draw. For films that gross over $50 million, the studio generally commits to a longer, more traditional theatrical window of at least 31 days (five weekends) before a PVOD release. Given the immense anticipation for this film, and its holiday release slot, the theatrical run will be significantly longer than the minimum 17 days. The estimated early January 2025 digital release date is a much more realistic timeline for this level of blockbuster.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

The Journey to Streaming: When Wicked Lands on Peacock

For fans who prefer to wait for the comfort of home viewing, the good news is that Universal Pictures has a clear, established path for its films to move from the cinema to its exclusive streaming platform, Peacock.

The official streaming date for Wicked: Part One is March 21, 2025. This 17-week gap between the theatrical release and the streaming debut is a strong indicator of the film's expected total theatrical run. Once the film hits Peacock, it will be available to stream for free for all subscribers, marking the end of its exclusive theatrical and premium digital windows. The timeline is designed to maximize revenue from each phase: first the long theatrical run, then the premium digital purchase/rental, and finally, the subscription streaming boost for Peacock.

The Two-Part Epic: Looking Ahead to Wicked: For Good

The discussion of Wicked's theatrical run would be incomplete without mentioning its sequel, Wicked: For Good (Part Two). This decision to split the beloved musical into two cinematic parts was made by director Jon M. Chu to ensure the full story and complexity of the original stage show could be honored without excessive cuts.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

The sequel, Wicked: For Good, is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 21, 2025. This strategic placement exactly one year after the first part ensures that the momentum and hype carry over, setting up another major holiday blockbuster for Universal Pictures. The success and duration of Part One's theatrical run will undoubtedly influence the marketing and potential longevity of Part Two.

Key Entities and Topical Authority for the Wicked Movie

The film’s incredible ensemble cast and creative team are central to its high-profile status and the expectation of a lengthy theatrical run. The star power alone is a major driver for repeat viewings and strong box office performance.

Cast and Crew Roster:

• Director: Jon M. Chu (known for Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights)
• Elphaba: Cynthia Erivo (Tony, Emmy, and Grammy 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
• Miss Coddle: Bowen Yang
• Composer: Stephen Schwartz (Original stage musical composer)

The film’s runtime for Part One is also a key detail for moviegoers, clocking in at approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, a substantial length that reflects the epic scale of the story.

Conclusion: Plan Your Trip to Oz Accordingly

In summary, the question of "how long is Wicked in theatres" has a definitive answer tied to its streaming release. While you can expect the film to be widely available through the end of 2024, the full theatrical window extends until the March 21, 2025 streaming debut on Peacock. This gives audiences approximately four months to experience the magic of Oz on the silver screen. For the best selection of showtimes, especially in IMAX or other premium formats, it is recommended to see the film during its primary run in November and December 2024. After the new year, showtimes will gradually decrease as the film makes its transition to digital and streaming platforms.