It’s long. Let’s just get that out of the way immediately. When Universal announced that the cinematic adaptation of the Broadway juggernaut would be split into two separate films, the internet collectively gasped. Or groaned. Honestly, it was a bit of both. People started wondering if we were looking at a Hobbit situation where a relatively slim source material—in this case, a three-hour stage musical—was being stretched thin just to sell more popcorn. But now that we’ve seen the rollout, the discussion around wicked for good length has shifted from skepticism to a genuine curiosity about how pacing changes the story of Elphaba and Glinda.
Movies are getting longer across the board, but Wicked is a unique beast. Usually, a musical clocks in around 2 hours and 30 minutes on stage, including an intermission. By splitting it, director Jon M. Chu has given himself roughly five to six hours of total screen time to cover the same ground. It’s a massive gamble.
The Reality of the Wicked for Good Length
The first installment runs approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. If you’re keeping track, that’s nearly the length of the entire stage show, but it only covers Act I. It ends exactly where you think it does: with "Defying Gravity" and a lot of broomstick-flying adrenaline.
Why so long? Because the movie isn't just a filmed version of the play. It pulls heavily from Gregory Maguire’s original 1995 novel, which is a much darker, denser, and more political piece of literature than the bright, poppy stage production. By opting for this wicked for good length, the filmmakers are trying to flesh out the world of Shiz University in a way that feels lived-in rather than just a backdrop for some catchy tunes. You get more of the rivalry, more of the classroom dynamics with Doctor Dillamond, and a much slower burn on the central friendship.
It’s about breathing room.
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On stage, Elphaba and Glinda go from enemies to "Popular" besties in what feels like fifteen minutes. In the film, that transition has more weight. You see the micro-aggressions. You see the loneliness. You see why these two outcasts—one by choice, one by circumstance—actually need each other.
Does the Pacing Hold Up?
Length is subjective. If you’re a die-hard fan who has seen the show ten times, every extra minute is a gift. If you’re a casual viewer dragged along by a spouse, you might start checking your watch around the two-hour mark.
The challenge with a long runtime is maintaining momentum. Wicked Part 1 has to build toward a climax that everyone knows is coming. The "Defying Gravity" sequence is the peak, but getting there requires a lot of setup. Some critics have argued that the middle section drags, particularly during the Oz scenes where the spectacle sometimes overshadows the character development. Others, however, argue that the world-building is the point. You aren't just watching a story; you're inhabiting a version of Oz that feels three-dimensional.
Comparisons to Other Epic Adaptations
We’ve seen this before with Dune and Avengers: Infinity War. Splitting a narrative isn’t always a cash grab. Sometimes, the story simply demands it. When you look at the wicked for good length in the context of modern blockbusters, it fits the trend of the "event film."
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- Avatar: The Way of Water (3h 12m)
- Oppenheimer (3h)
- Killers of the Flower Moon (3h 26m)
Audience endurance is being tested, sure, but there’s also a growing appreciation for films that don't rush. The "Defying Gravity" sequence alone in the film is significantly longer than its stage counterpart, incorporating cinematic sweeps and orchestral swells that just wouldn't fit in a 90-minute cut.
The Gregory Maguire Influence
Maguire’s book is notoriously difficult. It’s a political allegory about fascism, animal rights, and the nature of evil. The musical stripped a lot of that away to focus on the "girl power" aspect and the romance with Fiyero. By extending the wicked for good length, the movie manages to re-insert some of that complexity. We see more of the Wizard's propaganda. We see the gradual stripping away of rights for the talking Animals. It makes Elphaba’s "radicalization" feel earned rather than abrupt.
Stephen Schwartz, the legendary composer, has been vocal about this. He mentioned in several interviews that new songs were written specifically to bridge gaps that the stage show skipped over. These aren't just "filler" tracks; they are narrative tools meant to justify the expanded runtime.
What Fans Are Saying About the Sit
It's a long sit. No doubt about it.
But there’s a nuance here that often gets missed in the "it's too long" vs "it's perfect" debate. The theatrical experience is changing. When you go to see a movie like Wicked, you’re looking for an immersion. You want to see every detail of the Emerald City. You want to hear the full orchestration of "Dancing Through Life."
Honestly, the biggest risk isn't the length of the first movie; it's the wait for the second. By the time Part 2 arrives in late 2025, will audiences still care about the momentum established in the first film? That’s the real question. The wicked for good length only works if the payoff in the second half feels monumental.
Practical Tips for the Theater
If you’re heading to the cinema, treat this like a marathon, not a sprint.
- Skip the jumbo soda. You know why. There is no intermission in the movie theater version, and you do not want to miss the final 20 minutes.
- Look for the details in the background. The production design by Nathan Crowley is insane. Because the film is so long, they had the budget and time to build massive physical sets instead of relying solely on green screens.
- Pay attention to the Animals. The subplot involving the loss of their speech is much more prominent here than on Broadway. It adds a layer of tragedy that makes the ending of Part 1 hit harder.
The Cultural Impact of the Two-Part Strategy
Universal is banking on Wicked becoming a perennial holiday favorite. By releasing Part 1 and Part 2 a year apart, they are trying to create a Lord of the Rings style tradition. The expanded wicked for good length is a signal to the audience: "This is important. This is an epic."
Whether or not it succeeds depends on the emotional core. You can have all the flying monkeys and pyrotechnics in the world, but if people don't care about the green girl and the blonde girl, the movie will feel its length. Fortunately, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have a chemistry that carries the quieter moments. Their performances are the reason the movie can afford to be 160 minutes long.
Nuance in Character Depth
One thing the extra time allows for is a deeper look at Madame Morrible. In the stage show, she’s almost a cartoon villain. In the film, played by Michelle Yeoh, there’s a subtle calculation to her. You see how she manipulates the students and how she aligns herself with power. This slow-burn villainy is only possible because the movie isn't rushing to the next musical number.
Similarly, Fiyero’s character arc gets more breathing room. We see his "shallow" exterior start to crack much earlier, making his eventual attraction to Elphaba feel like a meeting of minds rather than just a plot point required by the script.
Final Thoughts on the Runtime
The wicked for good length isn't an accident. It’s a deliberate choice to elevate a musical into a cinematic epic. While the two-part split remains controversial for some, the sheer scale of the production justifies the hours spent in the theater seat. It’s a lush, detailed, and occasionally slow exploration of one of the most beloved stories of the last thirty years.
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If you’re worried about the time commitment, don’t be. The world of Oz has never looked this good, and the performances are strong enough to make the minutes fly by. Just make sure you’re prepared for the emotional cliffhanger at the end.
Actionable Next Steps
- Compare the versions: If you’ve only seen the musical, go back and read Gregory Maguire’s Wicked. It will give you a much better appreciation for the political subplots that the movie tries to incorporate.
- Check the theater specs: This is a movie designed for the biggest screen possible. If you have an IMAX or Dolby Cinema nearby, the extra cost is worth it for the sound engineering alone.
- Listen to the soundtrack first: If you aren't a "musical person," familiarizing yourself with the motifs in the score can help the longer sequences feel more engaging.
- Plan your viewing: Since the film is nearly three hours long, aim for a matinee or an early evening show to avoid the late-night fatigue that can set in during the slower middle acts.