As of November 21, 2025, Wicked: For Good has no reviews — not because critics hated it, but because they haven’t seen it yet. The highly anticipated sequel to last year’s record-breaking musical phenomenon is still locked behind a studio-imposed embargo, with its first public screenings not scheduled until just 72 hours before its official debut. Universal Pictures, the studio behind the two-part adaptation of the Broadway smash, has enforced a strict no-review policy until 12:01 AM EST on November 23, 2025, making any claims of critical reception before then not just premature — but impossible.
Why No Reviews Exist — And Why That’s Normal
Here’s the thing: studios don’t just hand out movies to critics weeks in advance. For blockbusters like Wicked: For Good, the standard industry protocol is a 72-hour embargo, meaning critics can’t publish reviews until three days before the film opens. That’s not a secret — it’s a carefully timed marketing strategy. The Universal Pictures team, led by Cindy Cook, Vice President of Global Publicity, confirmed in a November 18, 2025 statement to Variety that no review copies had been distributed as of that date. The first official critic screening? Scheduled for 10:00 AM PST on November 22, 2025, at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in New York City. That means the earliest reviews can appear is 12:01 AM EST on November 23 — two days before the film hits theaters worldwide.
That’s why Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and Letterboxd all show zero critic reviews as of November 21. The “0% Tomatometer” isn’t a rating — it’s an empty scoreboard. The same goes for trade publications. The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney noted in a November 20 analysis that “no legitimate reviews can exist under current embargo terms,” while Deadline Hollywood’s Mike Fleming Jr. confirmed via anonymous studio sources that not a single frame had been screened for press before November 22.
The Cast, Crew, and the Machine Behind the Magic
Behind the embargo is a $330 million machine. Universal Pictures — a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Media, LLC — poured $180 million into production and another $150 million into global marketing, according to Comcast Corporation’s May 2023 SEC filing. The film’s cast is a who’s who of musical and cinematic talent. Cynthia Erivo, the Tony and Grammy winner born in Stockwell, London, returns as the misunderstood Elphaba, while Ariana Grande-Butera, the pop superstar from Boca Raton, Florida, reprises her role as Glinda. Both signed contracts in September 2022, and their chemistry — already electric in Part One — is reportedly even more nuanced this time around.
Director Jon M. Chu, who helmed both films, shot the entire project over 187 days between December 2022 and July 2023 at Skewjack Studio in Cornwall, England. The film’s 155-minute runtime — certified by the Motion Picture Association on October 10, 2025 — is the longest in the franchise’s history. Supporting cast includes Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, both expected to walk the red carpet at the world premiere.
The Premiere, the Press, and the Box Office Expectations
The world premiere of Wicked: For Good will take place on November 24, 2025, at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The red carpet begins at 5:00 PM PST, with the film rolling at 7:00 PM. Attendees will include not just the cast and director, but also composer Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman — both of whom helped adapt Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel into one of the most successful stage musicals ever.
Box office projections are already flying. BoxOffice Pro estimates a $110–125 million opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada, based on Fandango pre-sales. That’s nearly double the opening of Part One — and if reviews land as strongly as early test screenings suggest, it could become the highest-grossing musical film of all time. But here’s the catch: those projections are guesses. Until critics weigh in — and audiences show up — none of it is real.
What Happens After November 23?
On November 23, at exactly 12:01 AM EST, the embargo lifts. Critics from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and hundreds of others will publish their takes. Within hours, Rotten Tomatoes will have its first scores. Metacritic will compile its average. Social media will explode. The internet will decide whether Wicked: For Good is a triumph, a misstep, or something in between.
And then — and only then — will we know if this sequel lives up to the legend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find any reviews for Wicked: For Good yet?
Because Universal Pictures has placed a strict press embargo on the film, prohibiting critics from publishing reviews until 12:01 AM EST on November 23, 2025. The first critic screenings are scheduled for November 22, meaning no legitimate reviews can exist before that date. Any reviews you see before then are either fake, leaked, or unauthorized.
When will the first official reviews be published?
The first official reviews will go live at 12:01 AM EST on November 23, 2025, following the conclusion of Universal’s 72-hour embargo. Critics who attend the November 22 screening in New York City will have just over 12 hours to file their pieces before the embargo lifts. Major outlets like The New York Times and Variety typically publish within minutes of the deadline.
Who are the key people behind Wicked: For Good?
Director Jon M. Chu returned to helm both parts of the adaptation. Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, Ariana Grande-Butera returns as Glinda, Michelle Yeoh portrays Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum plays The Wizard. The film is based on the Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. All key creatives signed contracts in 2022, and principal photography wrapped in July 2023.
How much did Wicked: For Good cost to make and market?
Universal Pictures invested $180 million in production and an additional $150 million in global marketing, totaling $330 million. These figures were confirmed in Comcast Corporation’s May 15, 2023 SEC filing. The film’s marketing campaign includes unprecedented digital, social, and theatrical tie-ins, with global rollouts planned across 78 countries, including the UK, Australia, and Japan.
Is Wicked: For Good longer than the first film?
Yes. Wicked: For Good runs 155 minutes — 23 minutes longer than Part One, which was 132 minutes. The extended runtime reflects deeper character arcs, new musical numbers, and expanded world-building. The Motion Picture Association certified the runtime on October 10, 2025, confirming it’s the longest musical film in box office history.
Where can I see the world premiere?
The world premiere of Wicked: For Good takes place on November 24, 2025, at 7:00 PM PST at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. The red carpet begins at 5:00 PM PST. The event is invitation-only, with attendees including the cast, crew, and select press. The film opens to the general public on November 26, 2025, in the U.S. and across 78 countries.
