As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in various fantasy worlds, I can confidently say that Universal Pictures’ adaptation of Wicked has taken my escapism to new heights. The movie not only surpassed box office expectations but also managed to outshine Gladiator II and Red One, proving that a little magic and music can indeed conquer all!
In its highly anticipated debut, Universal Pictures’ film adaption of Wicked surpassed both anticipation and financial projections during its opening weekend. This grand musical fantasy triumphantly outperformed contenders such as Gladiator II and Red One, raking in a staggering global premiere of $164 million, with a domestic take of $114 million and an additional $50 million from international markets.
Over the weekend, it was evident that the strategy of counter-programming remains potent, as two high-profile, big-budget blockbusters from distinct genres with distinct audience bases were released simultaneously without cannibalizing each other’s success. According to Paul Dergarabedian, a Senior Media Analyst at Comscore, this collaboration led to significant achievements for both films. Favorable reviews, a globally popular cast, audience eagerness, and a promotional concept that was a marketer’s dream all contributed to the films’ success. The extraordinary results for ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ serve as confirmation of this theory. Moreover, the social impact of a cultural phenomenon like ‘Glicked’ underscores the ability of a shared communal experience to generate awareness, enthusiasm among moviegoers, and substantial box office revenue on a global scale.
The musical Wicked, directed by Jon. M Chu and inspired by the acclaimed Broadway production of the same name, provides a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It delves into the surprising backstory of Elphaba (portrayed by Cynthia Ervio), who eventually becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Prior to her infamous moniker, Elphaba was simply a talented pupil at Shiz University, where she learned sorcery under Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and forged an enduring bond with Glinda the Good (Ariana Grande).
We have an announcement to make: Wicked is the #1 Movie in the World!
— Wicked Movie (@wickedmovie) November 25, 2024
Wicked box office opening records explained
As reported by Variety, the movie adaptation of “Wicked” achieved the highest domestic opening for a film based on a Broadway musical, surpassing the previous record held by Disney’s “Into the Woods,” which earned $31.05 million in 2014. In terms of North American debuts this year, only “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2” have had bigger openings, with earnings of $211 million and $154 million respectively.
In terms of worldwide releases, the musical adaptation of “Wicked” surpassed the 2012 version of “Les Misérables” ($103 million) to hold the record for the biggest global opening of any Broadway adaptation yet. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Wicked” placed fifth in terms of global debuts for musicals, following behind four live-action Disney remakes: “The Lion King” ($446 million), “Beauty and the Beast” ($358 million), “Aladdin” ($213 million), and “Frozen II” ($358 million).
Meanwhile, Fandango recorded its highest PG-rated ticket sales this year, surpassing Pixar’s Inside Out 2, as Elphaba & Co. claimed the top spot. Moreover, Wicked ranked as Fandango’s third-biggest opening weekend seller of all time, following closely behind the live-action remakes of The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017).
Jerramy Hainline, Fandango’s Executive Vice President, expressed great joy over the tremendous audience response to the cinematic marvel Wicked. For two decades, this enchanting tale has been cherished by countless individuals, and the enthusiasm among fans was palpable during its opening weekend. People rushed to cinemas to immerse themselves in the magic of this legendary franchise on the big screen.
How can you watch Wicked in theaters?
With an exceptionally high rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, the musical Wicked is currently playing in cinemas nationwide! Secure your tickets right here for you and your loved ones to enjoy! The next installment, titled Wicked Part Two, is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
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2024-11-25 22:46