The domestic box office success of Wicked shines brightly when measured against its competitors. Anticipation is high for its sequel, which will adapt the second act, scheduled for release in November 2025. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.
Beyond its critical acclaim, Wicked has shattered numerous box office records. It has surpassed the earnings of the classic 1978 film Grease, establishing itself as the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation in North America. Following a remarkable opening weekend of $112.5 million, Wicked has grossed $333.5 million domestically. With an additional $135.5 million accumulated internationally, the film’s total worldwide box office stands at an impressive $469 million as it approaches its fourth weekend of screenings.
Wicked Stands Out Among Sequels in the 2024 Domestic Box Office
The Dominance of Sequels in the Box Office
Wicked has attained remarkable achievements, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of the year at the domestic box office. Its commercial success is notable, particularly as it is the only non-sequel featured among the top hits of the year. Below is the current breakdown of the top 10 domestic box office hits as of Wednesday, December 11:
|
Rank |
Title |
Domestic Box Office |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 |
Inside Out 2 |
$652.9 million |
|
#2 |
Deadpool & Wolverine |
$636.7 million |
|
#3 |
Despicable Me 4 |
$361 million |
|
#4 |
Wicked |
$333.5 million |
|
#5 |
Ocean 2 |
$308.6 million |
|
#6 |
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice |
$294.1 million |
|
#7 |
Dune: Part Two |
$282.1 million |
|
#8 |
Twisters |
$267.8 million |
|
#9 |
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire |
$196.3 million |
|
#10 |
Kung Fu Panda 4 |
$193.6 million |
The year 2024 has been characterized by a genre proliferation of sequels, including revisits to beloved classics such as Beetlejuice (1988) and Twister (1996), alongside new continuations in popular franchises like Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and Moana (2016). For instance, the second-highest grossing film, Deadpool & Wolverine, is a direct sequel to both Deadpool 2 (2018) and Logan (2017), highlighting the strong sequel trend dominating the box office landscape.
Wicked’s Box Office Triumph Rooted in Intellectual Property
A Rich Adaptation Legacy
While Wicked distinguishes itself as the sole non-sequel within the top chart, it is still rooted in a rich history of intellectual properties. The film is built on a foundation of adaptations, the most notable being the original stage musical that itself draws inspiration from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. This novel, in turn, has connections to the iconic 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, which was adapted from L. Frank Baum’s original 1900 text, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This intricate lineage of adaptations provides the 2024 movie with a far-reaching IP context, making it one of the most significantly rooted films within the top 10.
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