Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return to Oz in Wicked’s final trailer

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are back in Oz, and the final trailer for Wicked: For Good proves this showdown will be unforgettable.

Universal Pictures dropped the highly anticipated trailer on September 24, 2025, and fans can finally see how the second half of the beloved Broadway musical plays out on the big screen.

The trailer teases soaring vocals, high-stakes battles, and the complicated friendship at the heart of Glinda and Elphaba’s story. With a November 21 release date locked in, excitement is reaching a fever pitch.

Let’s break it down.

What does the final trailer show?

The last look at Wicked: For Good puts Glinda and Elphaba front and center.

Ariana Grande’s Glinda sparkles in full stardom while Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba wrestles with her fate as the Wicked Witch.

The trailer highlights key moments from the second act of the musical, including Glinda preparing for a lavish Ozian wedding and Elphaba’s heartbreaking solo “No Good Deed.” Fans also get a glimpse of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, setting the stage for the legendary tale to collide with The Wizard of Oz.

The showdown between Glinda and Elphaba

One of the trailer’s most striking moments shows Glinda’s wand clashing against Elphaba’s broom.

It’s a visual that underscores how far their bond has been tested. Once best friends, they now stand on opposite sides of Oz’s destiny.

This duel isn’t just about power; it’s about loyalty, identity, and survival. For fans of the musical, seeing this clash play out with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo is a dream come true.

Iconic songs take center stage

Musical numbers are at the heart of Wicked’s appeal, and the trailer makes that clear.

Familiar favorites like “No Good Deed,” “Thank Goodness,” and “For Good” echo through the footage, reminding fans why the story remains timeless.

At the same time, Wicked: For Good introduces brand-new music. Cynthia Erivo revealed her emotional solo “No Place Like Home,” while Ariana Grande teased Glinda’s empowering number “Girl in the Bubble.” These additions promise to expand the story’s soundtrack in fresh and exciting ways.

Who’s returning to the cast?

The core cast from the first film is back, with some exciting character arcs teased.

Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero is caught between duty and love, while Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible reveals even darker plans for Oz. Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard makes his return, weaving lies to protect his power.

Other returning cast members include Marissa Bode as Nessarose and Ethan Slater as Boq. The ensemble also features Bowen Yang, adding flair and charisma to Oz’s society scenes.

A darker turn for Oz

If the first film introduced us to Oz’s dazzling world, the sequel shows its cracks.

The trailer teases a tornado conjured by Madame Morrible, threatening the very fabric of the kingdom.

We also see Elphaba grappling with loneliness and betrayal, especially as she becomes vilified as the Wicked Witch. Her journey is layered with heartache, but Erivo’s performance promises to make it unforgettable.

Why this trailer matters for fans

The final trailer balances nostalgia with new surprises.

By including iconic characters like Dorothy and spotlighting new songs, it caters to longtime fans and newcomers alike.

The footage also confirms that director Jon M. Chu isn’t just adapting the musical; he’s expanding it. The stakes are higher, the visuals bolder, and the emotional beats sharper than ever.

The legacy of Wicked’s first film

Wicked: Part One became the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation in history.

It won two Academy Awards out of ten nominations and cemented its place in cinematic history.

That success created massive pressure for Wicked: For Good. With the final trailer, it’s clear the sequel is aiming even higher. The payoff looks worth the wait.

A friendship that defined Oz

At its core, Wicked has always been about Glinda and Elphaba’s bond.

The trailer leans into their friendship, heartbreak, and ultimate parting. Whether through soaring duets or bitter battles, their connection is what fans cherish most. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo seem determined to give audiences a farewell that hits every emotional note.

Director Jon M. Chu’s vision

Jon M. Chu has promised to honor the heart of the stage show while making it cinematic.

Shooting both parts back-to-back gave him the ability to preserve continuity and character depth.

Chu’s direction shines through in the trailer’s sweeping visuals, from spell-casting duels to the grandeur of Emerald City. His past work on In the Heights shows he knows how to balance spectacle with emotion.

How the film connects to The Wizard of Oz

The trailer teases the moment Wicked fully collides with Oz’s classic tale.

Dorothy’s arrival and the presence of her companions signal the story’s moving into familiar territory.

For longtime fans, this bridge between the two stories is the emotional payoff. It places Glinda and Elphaba’s choices into the larger myth of Oz while showing their side of history.

Fan reactions and anticipation

Within hours of the trailer release, fans flooded social media with excitement.

Ariana Grande’s vocals on “Thank Goodness” and Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse performance drew instant praise.

Some fans even pointed out small Easter eggs, like nods to Munchkinland and subtle costume details. The buzz suggests audiences are ready to embrace this finale as one of the year’s biggest movie events.

What comes next?

The countdown to November 21 is officially on.

With the final trailer out, Universal is shifting gears into full promotion. Fans can expect interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes peeks leading up to release day.

When the curtain rises on Wicked: For Good, it won’t just mark the end of a two-part film series. It will be the closing chapter of one of Broadway’s most beloved stories, reimagined for a new generation.

TL;DR

• Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return as Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked: For Good.
• The final trailer dropped September 24, teasing battles, heartbreak, and iconic Oz characters.
• Songs like “No Good Deed” and “For Good” return, alongside new tracks “No Place Like Home” and “Girl in the Bubble.”
• Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and more reprise their roles.
• Director Jon M. Chu brings a new vision while connecting the story directly to The Wizard of Oz.
• The film will release on November 21, 2025, as the epic conclusion to the story.

If you liked this, don’t forget to follow us for more news and stories like this one.

If you liked this, you might also like:

‘Wicked’ concert special to air on NBC before sequel’s November release

Wicked Almost Starred Pop Icons Before Grande and Erivo

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.