The Wicked movie soundtrack has made an impressive debut on the Billboard 200 chart, claiming the #2 spot and solidifying its place in history as the highest-charting debut for a stage-to-screen adaptation. This milestone marks another major achievement for the beloved musical, which continues to break records both on stage and in its cinematic adaptation.
Released on November 22, the soundtrack, produced by Universal Pictures, Verve Records, and Republic Records, recorded 139,000 equivalent album units in its opening week, with 85,000 of those being traditional album sales. Impressively, vinyl sales alone accounted for nearly 39,000 copies. This debut also marks the biggest streaming week for a stage-to-screen musical film soundtrack, with 67.66 million streams contributing to its 52,000 SEA units. These figures place the Wicked soundtrack as the most successful stage-to-screen musical album debut since Billboard began ranking titles by equivalent album units in 2014.
A Box Office and Chart Success
The release of Wicked Part One, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, has been a resounding success beyond the charts. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the film became the highest-grossing Broadway-musical-based movie at the domestic box office, amassing a total of $263.1 million by Sunday. The momentum from the film has also reignited interest in the Broadway production, which has seen a surge in attendance and weekly grosses.
Comparisons to Past Musical Soundtracks
The Wicked soundtrack’s debut surpasses significant milestones achieved by past stage-to-screen musicals. The last time a soundtrack debuted in the Billboard 200 top five was in 2003 with Chicago, which peaked at #2. Meanwhile, Les Misérables reached the top of the chart for one week in 2013. The soundtrack’s 139,000 equivalent album units mark the largest debut sales week for a stage-to-screen adaptation since Dreamgirls in 2006.
In 2024, Wicked also claimed the title of the highest-charting soundtrack of the year, surpassing Twisters, which peaked at #7 in August. This success builds on the album’s momentum as the biggest debut for a theatrical film soundtrack since A Star Is Born by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in 2018.
Impact on Broadway
The buzz surrounding the Wicked film has positively impacted its Broadway counterpart, which first opened in 2003. For the Broadway week ending November 26, Wicked grossed $2,560,160, outperforming new productions and veteran shows alike. As holiday figures roll in, the musical is poised to maintain its dominant position among Broadway’s highest-grossing productions.
The Wicked phenomenon continues to resonate with audiences, both on stage and screen. With the movie’s Part Two still to come, the film and soundtrack have cemented their status as cultural milestones, drawing attention to the enduring appeal of one of Broadway’s most iconic productions. Keep checking Trevor Decker News for updates on Wicked and other entertainment news.
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