Wicked, the much-anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical, has made quite the splash at the box office, setting new records and captivating audiences around the world. With its riveting story and dazzling performances, the film not only satisfied the longstanding fanbase of the original play but also drew new viewers eager to see how this beloved tale of witches would translate to the big screen.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: Part One debuted over the Thanksgiving weekend and has reportedly grossed $114 million domestically during its opening weekend, making it the third-largest opening of the year behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. Overall, the film took home approximately $164 million globally, firmly establishing itself as the highest-grossing opening weekend for any Broadway adaptation ever.
The film is based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which was itself adapted for the stage and has enjoyed massive success since its Broadway debut. The story takes liberties with the classic Wizard of Oz narrative, focusing on the friendship between Elphaba, who famously becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch, portrayed respectively by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera.
But what makes this box office performance even more impressive is the competitive environment it emerged from. Opening alongside Gladiator II, which earned around $55 million, Wicked demonstrated its broad appeal, reportedly catering to demographics skewed heavily female—with 72% of its audience being women and 67% over the age of 25. This strong showing presents Universal Pictures with positive news, especially following years where the -cinema industry faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The immense financial success of Wicked is not just about numbers; it serves as validation for Universal's investment, which reportedly exceeded $150 million. The theatrical adaptation saw its initial high hopes often delayed due to the pandemic, leading to fluctuated release dates and production shifts. Yet, those delays might have worked favorably, as the accumulated anticipation for the film exploded upon its release, pushing it beyond the numbers seen by previous adaptations, such as Les Misérables, which earned $103 million upon its debut weekend.
Internationally, Wicked added another $50 million to its total during its global rollout, proving the franchise's strength beyond North America. With such solid footing, the film has not only recouped its hefty budget, but projections suggest it might continue to flourish, aiming for over $1 billion globally—a benchmark previously set by musicals like The Lion King and Frozen II.
Critics have reacted favorably to the film as well. Rotten Tomatoes shows scores of 90% from critics and 97% from audiences, underscoring the positive reception of both the storytelling and the star performances. Yet, the film’s success at the theater could only be bolstered by the upcoming release of Moana 2, which many anticipate will share similar levels of enthusiasm and potentially divert audiences once again.
Fans of Wicked have been eagerly waiting for over two decades to see this adaptation materialize, and it’s already hitting the right chords. The soundtrack, featuring show-stopping numbers like Popular and Defying Gravity, has found its way onto streaming charts, showing the cultural impact of the film even before the national awards season kicks off.
Aside from the remarkable box office take, audience dynamics offer another layer of intrigue. Daniel Loria from Boxoffice indicated the demographic skew was exceptional, stating, "This demographic shift is massive for Universal, showcasing the film's broad appeal across age groups and genders, reaffirming the musical's position as one not to underestimate at the box office."
The stakes remain high as the holiday season approaches. While Wicked has set itself apart with this explosive beginning, questions remain how well it will sustain its momentum against strong forthcoming competitors like Moana 2, expected to release shortly and potentially disrupt the holiday box office rankings. Yet analysts are confident, predicting exceptional holiday numbers for both, which could mark one of the busiest box office weekends ever recorded.
All eyes will now undoubtedly turn to how Wicked fares against such forthcoming challenges as its sequel, Wicked Part Two, is set to release just next year on November 21, 2025. With simultaneous filming having concluded, much anticipation looms for how this story will conclude on screen, and if the first part's success will translate to continued enthusiasm for the franchise as it moves forward.
Overall, Wicked’s impressive opening weekend signifies not only its financial success but also restores faith within the musical film genre, demonstrating audience willingness to embrace theatrical adaptations. Having delivered deserved acclaim and being touted as one of the strongest musicals on the big screen, the production sets new standards for what Broadway adaptations can achieve. Given this momentum, there's no telling just how far Wicked will fly—potentially even soaring above troves of tickets sold historically, and sparking renewed interest in the Wizard of Oz franchise overall.
With everything lined up right, Wicked’s debut marks the start of what many hope will be a continuing trend of revitalized interest and profitability within the movie musical genre, reminding audiences of the power of returning favorites adapted for modern viewing.
