In a groundbreaking moment for musical theater adaptations, Universal’s Wicked: Part One has officially claimed the title of the highest grossing movie based on a Broadway musical at the domestic box office. Directed by Jon M. Chu and featuring the incredible talents of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the film has resonated with audiences and secured its place in the world of cinema.
With a remarkable total of $214.3 million by the end of its second weekend, Wicked has surpassed the lifetime earnings of the cherished 1978 classic Grease, which grossed approximately $188 million in its initial run. This milestone has exceeded expectations, as many believed Wicked would predominantly attract domestic viewers. However, early box office indicators reveal its broad appeal across the nation.
The Thanksgiving weekend proved pivotal for this box office success. By the close of the holiday, Wicked is anticipated to reach close to $263 million in earnings. This impressive figure emerges amid fierce competition from Disney’s anticipated sequel, Moana 2, featuring strong female leads that drew audiences to theaters despite differences in runtime and themes.
As the holiday weekend unfolded, Wicked achieved the third-best Thanksgiving opening with a projected $118 million, showcasing its strong performance during Black Friday. Though the film faced competition from Moana 2 and Frozen 2, it has firmly established itself among the highest-grossing adaptations of Broadway musicals.
One remarkable achievement for the film is its record-breaking opening weekend. It achieved the best opening both domestically ($112.5 million) and globally ($162.5 million) for any Broadway musical adaptation. Additionally, the film holds the record for the best openings for director Jon M. Chu, as well as for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at both domestic and international box offices. This demonstrates not only the film's appeal but also the star power of its leading actresses.
While Wicked still has some climbing to do to catch up with the top live-action musicals like Barbie, which grossed over $1.4 billion, and Disney's The Lion King, which reached $1.66 billion, its success clearly illustrates the lasting popularity of musical theater. With worldwide earnings now totaling $358 million and continuing to grow, the film is positioned to join the most lucrative Broadway adaptations in cinema history.
As audiences continue to pack theaters, the enthusiasm for Wicked shows no signs of slowing. Its captivating narrative combined with exceptional performances creates a cinematic experience that appeals not only to fans of the original musical but also to newcomers eager to explore the enchanting world of Oz.
Wicked: Part One has made history as the highest grossing movie based on a Broadway musical at the domestic box office. This achievement highlights the powerful draw of musical storytelling in film. With positive word-of-mouth and impressive box office records, this adaptation is set to captivate viewers for years to come, ensuring the enduring legacy of the original musical continues to shine on the big screen.
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