The film opened with a massive $165.2 million global box office haul, including $114 million domestically and $50.2 million internationally. This strong debut is a much-needed boost for movie theaters, which have been struggling to match 2023 and pre-pandemic ticket sales, and for Universal, which has a lot riding on Wicked: Part Two set to release in 2025. With each installment costing $150 million to produce (excluding the extensive marketing campaign drenched in shades of pink and green), Wicked needs to perform consistently over the holiday season and beyond to be considered a financial success.
Thankfully for Universal, critics and audiences have been enthusiastic, with glowing reviews praising its direction, performances, and faithfulness to the beloved source material. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film is rated PG and features a star-studded cast, including Ariana Grande as Glinda, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Jonathan Bailey.
The story dives into the origins of Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, offering a fresh perspective on The Wizard of Oz before Dorothy ever set foot on the Yellow Brick Road.
Wicked Breaks Records
From its opening weekend alone, Wicked has set several box office records per Variety:
Domestic
Biggest opening weekend for a Broadway adaptation, surpassing Into the Woods ($31.05 million).
Third-best debut of 2024, behind only Deadpool & Wolverine ($211 million) and Inside Out 2 ($154 million).
Fourth-largest opening for a musical in history, outpacing Disney’s 2023 The Little Mermaid ($95.57 million) but trailing Frozen II ($130 million).
International
Largest international debut for a Broadway adaptation in comparable markets, overtaking 2012’s Les Misérables.
Sixth-best international opening ever for a musical, ahead of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again ($43 million).
Global
Biggest global opening weekend for a Broadway adaptation, overtaking Les Misérables ($103 million).
Best global debut for a non-sequel film in 2024.
Fifth-highest global opening for a musical, ahead of 2023’s The Little Mermaid ($163.6 million) and behind heavy hitters like The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017).
The Road Ahead
The success of Wicked comes at a pivotal time for Universal, as it seeks to establish the two-part series as a tentpole franchise. The first installment’s positive reception and financial success will be crucial in building anticipation for Wicked: Part Two, which will cover the musical’s dramatic second act.
For now, Wicked is more than just a win for Universal; it’s a testament to the enduring power of musicals when they’re done right. With its combination of dazzling visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and nostalgic appeal, Wicked is proving to be the kind of movie that not only fills theaters but also reaffirms the magic of the musical genre.
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