The film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical “Wicked” generates buzz at the box office. Jon M. Chu directed the film, which stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande-Butera as Glinda. Only weeks after its publication, “Wicked” has already garnered amazing financial success.
By the end of its fourth weekend, the picture is expected to gross $358.8 million domestically. This achievement places it among only four films grossing over $350 million in 2024. It trails “Inside Out 2” ($652.9 million), “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($636.7 million), and “Despicable Me 4” ($361 million).
The film’s achievements are astounding, especially given its $150 million production budget and high marketing costs. Analysts believe “Wicked” has crossed the break-even mark and entered lucrative territory, with global earnings approaching half a billion dollars.
Notably, “Wicked” has broken records for Broadway adaptations, outperforming “Grease” to become the highest-grossing picture in this genre. The phenomenal opening weekend grossed $112.5 million domestically, swiftly putting the global total beyond $400 million.
While impending films such as “Moana 2” (which debuted with $139.8 million) may pose competition, “Wicked” appears to be maintaining its strong momentum. Propelled by the film’s recent popularity, industry insiders are already considering the prospect of a sequel, “Wicked Part Two,” set for 2025.
The success of “Wicked” stems from its captivating retelling of the Wicked Witch of Oz’s origins from the classic “Wizard of Oz.” The film has captivated viewers worldwide because of its superb ensemble and imaginative directing.
