Table of Contents
- A Record-Breaking Preview Weekend
- Global Box Office Dominance
- Reviving the Movie Musical Genre
- What Makes Wicked: For Good Different?
- What’s Next for Broadway Adaptations?
A Record-Breaking Preview Weekend
Wicked: For Good has already made history before its official opening day. The film earned a staggering $30.8 million in domestic preview showings, setting a new benchmark for 2025. This total includes $18.2 million from Thursday previews, $6.1 million from Monday Prime screenings, and $6.5 million from Wednesday showings. The previous record holder, Fantastic Four: First Steps, managed only $24.4 million in previews.
Wicked: For Good’s preview numbers are the highest for any film this year, signaling massive audience anticipation.
Global Box Office Dominance
The original Wicked film, released in 2024, set the stage with a $112.5 million opening weekend and eventually grossed over $756 million worldwide. Industry experts predict Wicked: For Good could surpass that, with a projected global opening of $200 million this weekend. If achieved, it will become the highest-grossing opening for any Broadway musical adaptation in history.
Within just 10 days of release, the first Wicked movie earned over $350 million globally, proving that Broadway musicals can thrive on the big screen. The franchise has now become one of the top-grossing musical adaptations ever, both domestically and internationally.
Reviving the Movie Musical Genre
Wicked’s box office triumph has reignited Hollywood’s interest in movie musicals. After years of skepticism and a string of underperforming adaptations, studios are now reconsidering the genre’s potential. The success of Wicked demonstrates that audiences are eager for high-quality musical films, especially those with strong source material and star power.
Universal Pictures’ investment in experienced directors, top-tier casting, and high production values has paid off. The film’s success may inspire studios to revive long-delayed projects like Sunset Boulevard and Miss Saigon, and streaming platforms may also jump on the trend to attract subscribers.
What Makes Wicked: For Good Different?
Wicked: For Good adapts the second act of the Broadway musical, continuing the story of Glinda (Ariana Grande) and the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo). The sequel features two new original songs by Stephen Schwartz, the original composer, adding fresh musical elements to the beloved story.
While the film’s reviews have been more muted compared to the first installment, its box office performance shows that audiences are still eager to see the story unfold on the big screen. The combination of familiar characters, new music, and a strong fanbase has driven ticket sales to record levels.
What’s Next for Broadway Adaptations?
Wicked’s success is likely to trigger a domino effect in the entertainment industry. Studios may dust off long-delayed musical projects, and streaming platforms could follow suit, banking on the genre’s appeal to bolster subscriber engagement. The film’s performance offers a clear message to Hollywood: audiences are ready to embrace movie musicals, and with the right investment, these productions can defy gravity at the box office for years to come.