How Long Is Wicked: For Good? Runtime, Songs, Story & Act II

Fans asking how long is Wicked: For Good can expect a full feature experience. The second Wicked movie runs 2 hours and 17 minutes. It arrives in theaters on November 21, 2025, as the conclusion to the two-part movie adaptation.

The sequel is 23 minutes shorter than the first film, which ran about 2 hours and 40 minutes. It is also roughly 13 minutes shorter than the full stage production of Wicked, which usually runs around two and a half hours of story plus an intermission. That makes the new film a little leaner, while still long enough to cover the emotional weight of Act II.

Wicked: For Good runtime compared to the first movie and the musical

Wicked: For Good has an officially listed runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes. That timing has been confirmed by NBC Insider and recent early reviews. For fans planning a night out, that means about three hours in total at the cinema once you add trailers and credits.

The first movie, Wicked (2024), ran about 2 hours and 40 minutes. That film expanded Act I of the stage musical with more character backstory and visual world building in Oz. By contrast, the sequel trims the length but still tackles the darker and more political half of the story.

The Broadway musical Wicked is typically advertised at around 2 hours and 45 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. In terms of actual story time, audiences get a bit more than two and a half hours of music and scenes on stage. At 2 hours and 17 minutes, Wicked: For Good lands slightly shorter than seeing the full show in a theater but longer than many standard movie musicals.

The film focuses on Act II, which on stage usually runs close to one hour of story after the interval. For the screen, director Jon M. Chu has room to deepen the narrative, add cinematic set pieces and explore more of Oz around Glinda and Elphaba. The runtime suggests a balance between honoring every key song and keeping the pacing tight enough for moviegoers.

For practical planning, the 2 hours and 17 minutes length also keeps the sequel in a friendly zone for families and repeat viewings. It is long enough to feel epic, but not as demanding as a three hour plus event. The structure should still allow space for major numbers like “Thank Goodness,” “No Good Deed,” “As Long as You’re Mine” and the title duet “For Good.”

How the sequel uses that runtime to expand Act II and Oz

Wicked: For Good does more than simply film the stage version of Act II. The extra screen time is used to follow Glinda and Elphaba across a wider Oz and to build up to Dorothy’s arrival. Viewers will see familiar story beats from the musical, but with added connective scenes that are harder to stage live.

One of the biggest additions comes from the music itself. Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz has written two original songs for the film: “No Place Like Home” for Elphaba and “The Girl in the Bubble” for Glinda. Both numbers were teased in promotional specials and trailers, and early coverage from outlets like People and Entertainment Weekly notes how they dig deeper into each woman’s inner life.

“No Place Like Home” gives Elphaba space to confront her loneliness and exile from Oz in a more personal way. The sequence, co-developed with Cynthia Erivo, has been described as emotional both on set and in early reports. “The Girl in the Bubble” lets audiences stay with Glinda during a turning point that usually happens offstage, showing her wrestling with image, guilt and responsibility.

The runtime also lets the film revisit key supporting characters. Fiyero’s conflict between duty and love can play out in more detail on screen. The Wizard and Madame Morrible’s manipulation of public opinion, and the growing unrest across Oz, can be shown in wider shots and more locations than a stage allows.

At the same time, early reviewers point out that the sequel still follows the core arc of Act II. The story moves from political tension and propaganda to witch hunts, sacrifice and the final bittersweet goodbye between Glinda and Elphaba. The 2 hours and 17 minutes length gives room for that build without rushing the final moments that fans know from the musical.

In simple terms, anyone wondering how long is Wicked: For Good can expect 2 hours and 17 minutes of story, songs and Oz. It is shorter than the first movie, a little tighter than the full stage show and designed to give Act II the space it needs to land emotionally for both new viewers and long-time Wicked fans.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How long is Wicked: For Good in minutes?

Wicked: For Good runs 2 hours and 17 minutes. That is 137 minutes of screen time. It covers the events of Act II from the Wicked stage musical.

Q2: Is Wicked: For Good shorter than the first Wicked movie?

Yes. The first Wicked film runs about 2 hours and 40 minutes. The sequel is 23 minutes shorter, which should make the pacing feel a bit tighter.

Q3: Does Wicked: For Good include new songs?

Yes. The movie features two new Stephen Schwartz songs, “No Place Like Home” for Elphaba and “The Girl in the Bubble” for Glinda. These tracks were written specifically for the film and were previewed in recent teasers.

Q4: How does the Wicked: For Good runtime compare to the stage musical?

The Broadway production usually runs around 2 hours and 45 minutes including a short intermission. Wicked: For Good is about 2 hours and 17 minutes, so it is slightly shorter overall than seeing the show live.

Q5: Do I need to watch the first Wicked movie before Wicked: For Good?

It is strongly recommended to watch Wicked (2024) first. The sequel picks up directly after Elphaba’s flight and Glinda’s decision at the end of Part 1, and many emotional payoffs depend on that setup.