You've probably heard the rumors by now. Or maybe you saw that massive runtime pop up on your cinema booking app and did a double-take. Honestly, it’s a lot. If you are sitting down to watch Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the Broadway sensation, you aren't just looking at a quick popcorn flick. You are looking at a commitment.
The official word? Wicked: Part One clocks in at exactly 2 hours and 40 minutes.
That’s a beefy runtime for a movie that only covers the first half of a stage show. For context, the entire Broadway musical—including the intermission—usually runs about 2 hours and 45 minutes. So, the film version of "Act 1" is basically as long as the entire theatrical production.
Breaking Down the Numbers: How Long Is the Wicked Movie Really?
Why is it so long? Well, Jon M. Chu and the team at Universal didn't just want to film a stage play. They wanted to build a world. When you ask how long is the Wicked movie, you have to account for the fact that this isn't the whole story. This is "Part One." It ends right where the stage show's first act ends: with the iconic, gravity-defying climax of Elphaba taking flight.
It’s a bold move. Most movie musicals try to trim the fat. They cut songs to keep things moving. Here, they did the opposite. They kept every note of the original score by Stephen Schwartz and then added breathing room. They added more Shiz University. They added more backstory for Nessarose and Boq. They basically took the "Defying Gravity" sequence and turned it into a cinematic event that demands your full attention for nearly three hours.
Comparing Runtimes: Then vs. Now
Let's look at the landscape. The Wizard of Oz (1939) was a tight 102 minutes. It got in, met a lion, killed a witch, and got out. Wicked is operating on a different scale entirely. It’s more Lord of the Rings than Singin' in the Rain. If you add the projected length of Wicked: Part Two (scheduled for late 2025), the total cinematic experience will likely exceed five hours.
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That is a staggering amount of time spent in Oz.
Some fans are thrilled. They want every single detail of Gregory Maguire’s world brought to life. They want to see the intricacies of the Ozians' costumes and the political landscape of the Emerald City. Others? Well, they’re checking their watches. They wonder if we really need 160 minutes to explain why a girl turned green and why a blonde girl became popular.
What Actually Happens in All Those Extra Minutes?
You might be wondering if the movie feels bloated. Honestly, it depends on how much you love the source material. Much of the extended runtime is dedicated to "world-building." In the stage show, the transition from Elphaba arriving at Shiz to her becoming best friends with Glinda happens relatively quickly through song. In the movie, we get more dialogue. We get more "vibes."
Director Jon M. Chu is known for his visual flair—think Crazy Rich Asians or In the Heights. He doesn't rush. He lets the camera linger on the production design. The Shiz University sets are physical, tangible places. They built actual tulip fields. They built a massive train station. All that scale takes time to traverse on screen.
- The "Dancing Through Life" Sequence: In the movie, this isn't just a song in a library/ballroom. It's a sprawling sequence that explores the social hierarchy of the students.
- Character Depth: We see more of the relationship between Elphaba and her father, and the pressure she feels to look after her sister.
- The Animals: The political subplot about the Animals losing their power and their ability to speak is given significantly more weight here than in the stage condensed version.
Is there an intermission?
Nope. Unlike the Broadway show, there is no scheduled break. You are in your seat for the full 160 minutes. This has led to a lot of "pro-tips" circulating online about the best time to run to the bathroom. If you must go, try to find a moment during some of the new transition scenes, but whatever you do, do not leave during "Popular" or "Defying Gravity." You'll regret it.
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The "Two-Part" Gamble: Why Not Just One Movie?
The decision to split the movie into two parts was controversial from the jump. Usually, when a studio splits a book or a play, it's a bit of a cash grab. Think Twilight: Breaking Dawn or The Hobbit. But Stephen Schwartz, the man behind the music, defended the choice. He argued that to make it one movie, they would have had to cut "The Wizard and I" or "What Is This Feeling?" to make room for the Act 2 plot points.
By making Wicked: Part One nearly three hours, they’ve ensured that nothing is lost. But it also means the pacing is fundamentally different from a standard movie. It's a slow burn. It builds and builds until that final high F note.
The real test will be Part Two. If Part One is 2 hours and 40 minutes, will Part Two be just as long? If so, Wicked will become one of the longest musical adaptations in history, rivaling the sheer length of filmed operas or the extended cuts of Les Misérables.
What the critics are saying about the length
Early reactions have been surprisingly positive regarding the pacing. While everyone acknowledges that it's long, most experts agree that the chemistry between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande carries the weight. If the performances were flat, those 160 minutes would feel like an eternity. But because the vocal performances are so powerhouse, the time tends to fly—at least for the die-hard fans.
General audiences might feel the pinch more. If you aren't a "theater kid" at heart, you might find yourself wondering when they're finally going to get to the Wizard. It’s a valid critique. Modern cinema has a "bloat" problem, and Wicked is definitely leaning into the trend of the "epic" runtime.
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Planning Your Trip to Oz
If you’re heading to the theater, you need to be prepared. This isn't a "quick outing." Between the trailers, the actual movie, and the inevitable "staying for the credits" (though there isn't a Marvel-style post-credits scene, the music is worth sticking around for), you are looking at a three-hour window of time.
Quick Tips for the 160-Minute Haul:
- Hydrate Early: Don't chug a massive soda right when the movie starts. You've got a long way to go.
- Pick Your Seat Wisely: If you have a small bladder, maybe grab an aisle seat. You don't want to be climbing over twelve people during a quiet ballad.
- Appreciate the Craft: Look at the background. The reason the movie is this long is because of the sheer amount of detail in every frame.
- Check the Schedule: If you’re seeing an evening show, keep in mind you won't be out until late. Plan accordingly for parking or public transit.
Practical Takeaways for Your Viewing
The question of how long is the Wicked movie isn't just about a number on a clock. It's about the shift in how we consume big-budget stories. We are moving away from the 90-minute standard and into an era of "prestige length."
To get the most out of your experience, treat it like an event. If you go in expecting a brisk comedy, you'll be frustrated. If you go in expecting a sprawling, emotional epic that takes its time to explore the nuances of friendship and prejudice, the 2 hours and 40 minutes will feel justified.
Make sure to check your local theater's specific start times, as many cinemas are adding "fan events" or introductions that can tack on an extra 15-20 minutes before the film even begins. Also, keep an eye on the rating; while it's a musical, some of the darker themes and the sheer length might be a bit much for very young children who haven't mastered the art of sitting still for three hours.
When you finally walk out of the theater, you'll have only seen half the story. But given how much they've packed into this first installment, you’ll probably feel like you’ve been through a whole journey. Now, the long wait for Part Two begins.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night:
- Confirm the exact showtime: Check your ticketing app today, as many theaters have slightly different "total experience" runtimes including local ads.
- Listen to the Broadway Cast Recording: Refresh your memory on Act 1 so you can spot where the movie has expanded the lore or added new orchestral flourishes.
- Book your seats in the center: Given the massive scale of the 70mm and IMAX presentations, sitting too far to the side can make a 160-minute movie feel physically taxing on your neck.