Universal Pictures has achieved a monumental victory with the debut of Wicked, shattering records for a Broadway musical adaptation at the box office. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film opened to an impressive $114 million domestically over the Nov. 22-24 weekend, surpassing the previous record-holder, Into the Woods (2014), which debuted with $31 million.
This remarkable achievement marks Wicked as the fourth-largest domestic opening for any musical, trailing only major Disney releases such as The Lion King (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Frozen II (2019). Internationally, the film added $50.2 million from 61 markets, pushing its global debut to a staggering $164.2 million—also the biggest worldwide opening for a Broadway musical adaptation.
A Thoughtful Strategy Behind the Success
Universal’s journey with Wicked stands in stark contrast to the studio’s ill-fated Cats adaptation in 2019, which grossed just $6.6 million in its opening weekend and ended with $75.6 million globally. Despite that setback, Universal and NBCUniversal chief Donna Langley doubled down on their faith in the genre, greenlighting not one but two Wicked films. The second installment is set to release next year.
Industry analysts have praised Universal’s strategic approach to Wicked, emphasizing that its success showcases the importance of careful planning and long-term vision in a notoriously unpredictable genre. Rather than relying solely on the popularity of the source material, the studio invested in every aspect of the project to ensure its appeal to a wide audience.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Wicked Among Box Office Greats
Wicked’s $114 million domestic debut firmly cements its place as the top-grossing Broadway musical adaptation opening weekend. To put this achievement into perspective:
- Broadway Adaptation Milestones: Wicked dwarfed other musicals in this category, including Into the Woods (2014) at $31.1 million and Les Misérables (2012) at $27.3 million. Classics like Mamma Mia! (2008) and Hairspray (2007) hovered in the $27 million range, making Wicked’s success truly unparalleled.
- Among Musical Titans: While Disney’s The Lion King (2019) and Frozen II (2019) hold higher records for musicals overall, Wicked’s opening weekend leaves newer contenders, such as The Little Mermaid (2023) with $95.6 million, far behind.
- Global Acclaim: Internationally, Wicked not only outperformed Broadway adaptations like Les Misérables but also secured its place among the top-five global musical debuts of all time.
A Stellar Cast and Timeless Story
Based on Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel and the acclaimed Broadway production, Wicked explores the untold story of the witches of Oz. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, while Ariana Grande brings Glinda, the Good Witch, to life. The film’s screenplay, penned by Winnie Holzman (who also wrote the Broadway show’s book) and Dana Fox, is complemented by the work of Academy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, who adapted his original score and lyrics for the big screen.
A Bright Future for Broadway on the Big Screen
With such a strong debut, Wicked not only reinforces the viability of movie musicals but also raises the bar for what’s possible in this genre. As audiences continue to flock to theaters, Universal’s decision to split the story into two films ensures that the magic of Oz will linger for years to come.
Stay tuned to Trevor Decker News for updates on Wicked and other entertainment milestones!
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