Wicked, Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, has officially become the highest-grossing film based on a Broadway musical at the domestic box office. With $214.3M in its second weekend, it’s beaten Grease and is on track to rake in $263M by Sunday. Globally, it’s already secured $358M, making it the fourth highest-grossing Broadway movie worldwide.
‘Wicked’ officially becomes the highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time at the domestic box office, surpassing ‘Grease.’ pic.twitter.com/yF59ioe0KB
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 30, 2024
This success comes amidst tight competition, with Disney’s Moana 2 dominating Thanksgiving weekend. Yet, Wicked managed to capture viewers, setting records like the best Black Friday box office for a musical and the strongest global debut in the genre. And the soundtrack? Fans are clearly vibing to “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” and with Part Two set for 2025, Wicked will continue flying high.
The film’s achievements don’t stop there. While it’s got some way to go to break into the top five live-action musicals domestically (led by Barbie, Disney’s live actions for The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin), Wicked has become a cultural phenomenon in only a couple of weeks after its premiere.
