Wicked is actually significantly different than most of the stories that get cut in half. Wicked itself, i.e. the musical that the film is based on, has a natural breaking point. However, the thing that makes Wicked different than all the rest is that its first act is already a complete story.

Indeed, Wicked: Part Two is actually scheduled to hit theaters on Nov. 21, 2025 — and back in 2022, the musical's composer Stephen Schwartz explained to the Schwartz Scene why the story was simply too big for one movie.

Wondering why Wicked was split into two movies? Here's what went into the decision to make audiences wait a whole year for part two.