Wicked Sequel Casts a Record-Breaking Spell at the Global Box Office
The cinematic magic of Oz has proven more potent than ever. Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated sequel to last year's hit, has conjured a monumental opening weekend, smashing the box office records previously held by its predecessor. The film's global haul of $226 million dramatically outpaces the $164.2 million debut of the first instalment, confirming its status as a major cinematic event.
A Dream Team's Record-Shattering Performance
Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring the powerhouse duo of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film has achieved a remarkable financial correction. While the first film heavily relied on the domestic US market, this concluding chapter has seen a significant boost in international appeal. It banked $76 million from overseas territories, a substantial increase that balanced its global performance. Domestically, its $150 million opening from 4,115 North American cinemas sets a new high-water mark for Broadway adaptations, securing its place as the second biggest US opening of the year, nestled between A Minecraft Movie and Lilo & Stitch.
UK Success and Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The film's success was not confined to the US. In the UK, while official figures are pending, Vue Cinemas reported it enjoyed the biggest opening weekend since 2023's Barbie, outperforming the first Wicked film by an impressive 30%. This triumphant release was not without its off-screen drama. During the world promotional tour, Ariana Grande contracted Covid, curtailing her activities. The red carpet premiere in Singapore was also disrupted when an Australian vlogger breached security, an incident from which co-star Cynthia Erivo swiftly came to Grande's aid. The individual was subsequently arrested and jailed for nine days and has been permanently banned from entering Singapore.
Beyond the box office numbers, significant awards buzz is building around the lead performances. If both Erivo and Grande receive Oscar nominations for their roles, they will break another record by being nominated in the same consecutive years for portraying the same characters. The extraordinary promotional effort for Wicked: For Good has clearly paid off, cementing its place as a monumental success in the world of stage-to-screen adaptations.
