Wicked will be getting the NBC airing treatment before its sequel, Wicked: For Good, debuts in theaters on November 21 — the weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday. The network's move to air the Oscar-winner is part of the promotion deal for the newest and last installment of the sequel. It's predicted to be a ratings success for NBC, as Wicked was one of the biggest movies in 2024.
Prior to the network's airing, NBC has plans to air a special dedicated to the enchanting music of Wicked. Titled Wicked: One Wonderful Night, the musical will make its premiere on Thursday, Nov. 6, with Peacock streaming it the next day. The special will star Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and showcase clips and highlights from Wicked For Good.
And yes, the special will also build hype for the sequel's release, as Universal expects a massive financial score at the Box Office. Seeing how well Wicked performed last year with over $750 million in revenue, I won't be surprised if Wicked: For Good will even smash that number and bring over a billion for Universal Studios.
The sequel will continue the story of the witches, with Dorothy Gale arriving in OZ and the transformations of the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man. It's going to feel a little different from the 1939 version with Judy Garland, as it's a composite of Frank L. Baum's 1900 novel and director Jon M. Chu's orchestrated, vibrant vision.
Here's when you can watch Wicked on NBC
Wicked will air on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at a special broadcast time. Although no specific time slot was given by Deadline, which first reported the news, it's very likely the film will arrive at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT and feature nearly three hours of magical and whimsical content.
The network airing comes nearly after its premiere in theaters and dropping it two nights ahead of Wicked: For Good, is a great marketing move; it reflects that the sequel will have a head start in ticket sales and become a record breaker.
In July 2025, Peacock removed Wicked from its streaming catalog after just 3 months, much to the fans' disappointment. It then flew to Amazon Prime, where it currently resides, and while the shift was, at the very least, annoying, the film remains a top Prime pick.
NBC's broadcast will be a wonderful alternative for those who want to watch Wicked, but doesn't hold a subscription to Prime. In addition, there's sure to be Wicked: For Good promotions sewn into the commercials.