Wicked Box Office Performance: Total Earnings, Worldwide Figures, Domestic Revenue, Opening Weekend Stats & Records

Wicked has reinvigorated audiences’ connection to the magical world of Oz, achieving significant success at the box office. The film, which adapts the beloved Broadway musical of the same name, draws from Gregory Maguire’s acclaimed 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Central to the narrative are the unexpected camaraderie and contrasting journeys of Elphaba, who ultimately becomes the notoriously misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda, who transforms into Glinda the Good Witch.

In this cinematic rendition, the talented Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba, while Ariana Grande-Butera takes on the role of Galinda. They are joined by an impressive ensemble cast, including Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. The early reception of Wicked has been overwhelmingly positive, with the film securing an 88% critics score and a remarkable 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (source). It has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also proven to be a robust commercial success.

Wicked’s Total Box Office (So Far)

Wicked Is A Major Box Office Hit

Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in Wicked Movie

As of now, Wicked has amassed an impressive total of $681,256,000 worldwide, marking it as a significant financial triumph for Universal Pictures (source). This success comes in spite of the film’s considerable initial budget, which was reported to be between $145 and $150 million—setting a record for Universal’s investment in a single film project. This reinforces Wicked’s ability to recover and greatly exceed its production costs.

The film’s box office performance is especially noteworthy in light of recent musicals like Cats and Dear Evan Hansen, which did not achieve similar success. Wicked demonstrates that there is a strong appetite for returning to the enchanting realm of Oz, especially given the musical’s longstanding popularity both on stage and now in film format.

Wicked’s Opening Weekend Box Office

Wicked Had One Of The Highest Opening Weekend Box Office Hauls Of 2024

Wicked’s monumental opening weekend generated approximately $164.2 million, marking one of the highest opening hauls of 2024. The film reached $114 million domestically while earning over $50 million internationally. This notable success made Wicked the highest-grossing global debut of any Broadway adaptation, surpassing 2012’s Les Misérables, which earned $103 million initially by a staggering $60 million.

Moreover, Wicked’s domestic opening weekend ranks as the fourth-largest for a musical film, surpassed only by The Lion King (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Frozen II (2019). On the international front, it claimed the fifth-largest opening for a musical, trailing these same films plus Aladdin (2019). Compared to all 2024 releases, Wicked stands fourth in opening weekend performance, following Moana 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Inside Out 2.

How Wicked’s Box Office Compares To The Wizard Of Oz

The Wizard Of Oz Eventually Became A Box Office Success

The iconic Wizard of Oz (1939) had a rocky start at the box office, earning just $3 million against a budget of $2.7 million. Nevertheless, over its lifetime, it grossed over $25 million—inflation-adjusted earnings top an impressive $570 million worldwide. However, the original film struggled to find international success, earning less than $1 million outside the domestic market. This gives Wicked a competitive edge in terms of its worldwide appeal.

Given Wicked’s strong start both domestically and internationally, it is poised to outpace the earnings of The Wizard of Oz. Both films were critically celebrated upon release, but Wicked’s commercial success coupled with potential Academy Awards buzz indicates it could maintain momentum in theaters well into the awards season.

What Wicked’s Box Office Means For Wicked: For Good

Wicked: For Good Is Now Less Than A Year Away

Filmed back-to-back, Wicked: For Good is slated for release on November 21, 2025—only a year after the premiering feature. This rapid turnaround is welcome news for fans eager to delve deeper into Elphaba and Glinda’s odyssey. Given the performance of its predecessor, it is reasonable to anticipate that Wicked: For Good will launch with similarly impressive numbers, if not eclipse its predecessor’s success.

The upcoming sequel is likely to capitalize on the growing popularity of The Wizard of Oz franchise. Excitement for Wicked: For Good is expected to continue increasing, leading to potentially larger audiences as fans flock to theaters. In addition to theatrical success, the film will likely thrive on streaming platforms and may find itself in contention for prestigious awards. If the sequel matches or exceeds the acclaim of Wicked, it is very likely to replicate its box office triumph.

Wicked’s Box Office Records Explained

Wicked Has Continued To Break Box Office Records

Since its release in November 2024, Wicked has consistently broken box office records, solidifying its status as one of the most commercially successful musical films ever. By early January, the film surpassed the $450 million threshold at the domestic box office, joining the ranks of other significant 2024 blockbusters like Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2.

Additionally, Wicked has established itself as the highest-grossing stage musical adaptation of all time, outperforming Mamma Mia! with a gross of around $611 million. Currently, it ranks #29 among the highest-grossing domestic films, with the potential to surpass Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soon.

Wicked Won A Golden Globe For Its Box Office Performance

Wicked Was Successful At The Golden Globes

At the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, held on January 5, 2025, Wicked celebrated a significant triumph by winning the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement award, outshining competitors like Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. This accolade, distinguishing films for their box office earnings and audience acclaim, is a promising omen for Wicked’s future prospects during awards season.

Although Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera received nominations for their performances, they did not win. However, the recognition at the Golden Globes positions Wicked favorably for further nominations at more prestigious ceremonies like the Academy Awards. With nominations in multiple categories, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Wicked is set up for ongoing success as the awards season unfolds.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes, Variety, Box Office Mojo

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