Despite facing direct competition fromMoana 2this weekend, Universal’sWickednot only held its ground at the box office, but broke records of its own. The musical is alreadyone of the year’s biggest success stories, and is now poised to enter hallowed territory after its astonishing second weekend at the box office.Wickedis based on the blockbuster Broadway musical of the same name, and is set inL. Frank Baum’s sprawling Wizard of Oz universe. The movie entered its second weekend of release having already amassed more than $200 million worldwide.
With $262 million domestically and another $97 million from overseas markets,Wickedhas nowgrossed a combined total of $359 million worldwide. Produced ona reported budget of $150 million, the movie is directed byJon M. Chuand starsCynthia ErivoandAriana Grande. Unlike most films aimed at niche demographics, the movie appears to be playing like a traditional holiday-period hit. It held on remarkably well this weekend, even asMoana 2delivered a record-breaking performance at the number one position.
Wickedopened to excellent reviewsand even better audience response. It currently sits at a “fresh” 89% rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, where its audience score sits at an astonishing 96%.In his review, Collider’sJeff Ewingdescribed it as “an incredible cinematic musical outing and easilyone of the year’s best films.” Even though the movie is based on one of the most popular Broadway shows in recent memory,Universal downplayed its musical aspects in the marketing. This isan increasingly popular trend, prompted by the genre’s hit-or-miss nature at the box office, but it appears to have paid off this time.
‘Wicked Part 2’ Is Set for Release in November 2025
Either way,Wickedis now thehighest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation of all time, having out-performedGreaseandChicago. It should continue performing well into the next year, and ifMoana 2isn’t too big of a hurdle, it might actually stand a chance of hitting the $500 million mark domestically by the end of its run. Also starringMichelle Yeoh,Jeff Goldblum,Jonathan Bailey,Ethan Slater,Marissa Bode,Bowen Yangand others, the movie will get a sequel in November next year.
You can watchWickedin theaters, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
The story of how a green-skinned woman framed by the Wizard of Oz becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part feature film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
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