Wicked sequel just got an official new title—here's what it means

The official Instagram accounts for Wicked, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande jointly shared a video to announce this new title. The caption reads:

"You will be changed. Wicked: For Good, only in theaters November 21, 2025."

What does it mean for the sequel to be renamed 'Wicked: For Good'?

"For Good" is the penultimate song in the original Broadway cast recording album of the Wicked musical. The films were originally titled Wicked: Part One and Wicked: Part Two as a point of reference to the two acts of Wicked.

Act one of Wicked famously ends with "Defying Gravity," a song where Elphaba (played by Erivo in the film) and Glinda (played by Grande in the film) have an argument — and then a conversation — about going their separate ways and understanding each other's choices. The song ultimately builds up to Elphaba fully embracing her magical powers and unleashing them… to the point of literally flying with her broom and declaring war on the Wizard of Oz.

In many ways, "For Good" has the same function in act two that "Defying Gravity" has in act one. Both songs feature Elphaba and Glinda having a conversation about their friendship, setting boundaries for themselves, reflecting on their individual strengths and weaknesses, and coming to terms with the fact that they truly love each other but can't remain being close friends. "Defying Gravity" and "For Good" mirror and rhyme with each other, though their lyrics are very different based on where these two characters are now standing.

Did Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande get matching tattoos of 'For Good'?

Yes! Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande got a few matching tattoos after working together on the movies — and one of those tattoos was the "For Good" song title — which is now a very clear Easter egg that teased the actual name of the Wicked 2 movie.

Erivo and Grande reportedly showed off these matching "For Good" tattoos for the first time via Instagram story on Friday, December 29, 2023. However, People reports that the actresses got the tattoos in April 2023… many months before revealing them on social media.

Many Wicked fans had a feeling that the tattoos meant something deeper than just the title of a song tattooed on their hands… and we can now confirm that, yes, they were clearly teasing the Wicked: For Good sequel title.

What are the lyrics of 'For Good' from 'Wicked'?

The lyrics of "For Good" — particularly when compared to the lyrics of "Defying Gravity" — show much Elphaba and Glinda have grown in maturity. They both admit to things that haven't really discussed before, with a less hard-headed attitude and a more open heart.

"I'm limited. Just look at me, I'm limited," Elphaba sings, a direct contrast to "Defying Gravity" lyrics such as "Unlimited. Together, we're unlimited."

Glinda and Elphaba talk about how much they've learned from each other. "You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart," Elphaba sings. "And now, whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine, by being my friend."

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason… bringing something we must learn," Glinda sings. "And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them and we help them in return."

While acknowledging how their friendship has changed them "For Good" (the title of the song!), both women apologize for all the suffering and pain they've caused to each other due to the choices they've made.

You can read the full lyrics of "For Good" from the Wicked musical below.

[Elphaba]
I'm limited
Just look at me
I'm limited
And just look at you, you can do all I couldn't do
Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us
Now it's up to you

[Glinda]
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

[Elphaba]
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

[Glinda]
Because I knew you

[Glinda & Elphaba]
I have been changed for good

[Elphaba]
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness for the things I've done you blame me for

[Glinda]
But then, I guess we know there's blame to share

[Glinda & Elphaba]
And none of it seems to matter anymore

[Glinda & Elphaba]
Like a comet pulled from orbit (Like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes a sun (By a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder (Like a seed dropped by a bird)
Halfway through the wood (In the wood))

[Glinda & Elphaba]
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better

[Glinda]
And because I knew you

[Elphaba]
Because I knew you

[Glinda & Elphaba]
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good

Wicked is now playing in theaters. Wicked: For Good is scheduled to premiere on November 21, 2025 in theaters.