Wicked Sets Record for Broadway Film Adaptation Opening, Surpassing Box Office Expectations

Wicked Breaks Records with Blockbuster Opening Weekend

The much-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked, the beloved Broadway musical, is set to achieve the biggest opening weekend ever for a Broadway-to-film adaptation, surpassing even the legendary Les Miserables.

The movie, based on the 2003 Broadway musical Wicked, which reimagines the story of the Wicked Witch of the West, is projected to earn a staggering $114 million (£90.6 million) in North America during its opening weekend. This impressive figure breaks the previous record set by Les Miserables, which grossed $103 million globally during its opening weekend in 2012.

In the UK and Ireland, the film is forecast to earn $17.6 million (£14 million) this weekend, making it the top-grossing opening of 2024. This marks a significant achievement not only for the film’s creators but also for the wider film industry, especially considering that it came just as other big movies, such as Gladiator II, were also making their debuts. This makes the weekend’s box office performance in North America one of the strongest in recent years, with the highest revenue before the Thanksgiving holiday since 2013, according to data from the Boxoffice Company.

Record-Breaking Opening Numbers and Audience Reception

In North America, Wicked exceeded expectations by earning $46.48 million (£37 million) on its opening Friday, including its Thursday previews, followed by $36 million on Saturday. The film’s opening is particularly notable for the demographic breakdown of its audience: 72% of the moviegoers were women, and 67% were aged 25 or older. These figures reflect a strong and dedicated fan base, and Boxoffice’s Daniel Loria called this response a “massive victory” for Universal Pictures, the film’s distributor.

The film’s success at the box office has also led to its soundtrack gaining significant traction, with songs such as Popular and Defying Gravity—performed by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo—dominating streaming services’ most-played lists. This surge in music streaming further solidifies the movie’s broad appeal, suggesting Wicked will continue to thrive in the coming weeks.

The Future for Wicked and Its Competition

As impressive as Wicked’s opening is, its success at the global box office is still to be determined. Broadway film adaptations, such as Les Miserables and Chicago, have grossed $442 million and $306 million worldwide, respectively, and Wicked has its sights set on reaching similar totals. Whether it can achieve this remains to be seen, but its opening suggests it could become one of the most successful Broadway adaptations in recent history.

Meanwhile, in North America, Gladiator II—the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 epic Gladiator—opened this weekend, grossing $22 million (£17.5 million) on its first day. Despite stiff competition, Gladiator II is expected to make $55.5 million (£44.2 million) by the end of the opening weekend. However, Boxoffice analysts suggest that Moana 2, which is set for release in the U.S. on Wednesday, could take the top spot over the Thanksgiving holiday, further intensifying the competition at the box office.

For now, Wicked stands as the highest-grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical for 2024, a title it will likely hold until Moana 2 enters the fray.

The UK and Ireland’s Box Office Triumph

In addition to North America’s success, the film has performed exceptionally well in the UK and Ireland. Wicked‘s opening is Universal’s biggest box office performance in the region since 2021, when No Time to Die, the James Bond film, was released. This places Wicked at the top of the charts for 2024 in the UK, which further highlights the film’s international appeal.

Despite a drop in its second weekend, Gladiator II also performed strongly in the UK, earning $11.4 million (£9 million) on its first weekend before dropping to $6 million (£4.8 million) this weekend. Still, Gladiator II’s performance is considered strong by industry standards, especially given its competition with Wicked and other major releases.

The UK box office, in particular, is experiencing an exciting post-pandemic boom with Wicked, Gladiator II, and Paddington in Peru—another popular title that earned £9.7 million on its opening weekend in November—delivering impressive numbers. This signifies a resurgence in cinema attendance, and experts are hopeful that this trend will continue throughout the holiday season.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Wicked?

As the coming weeks unfold, the big question is whether Wicked can maintain its momentum or if the competition from other films—especially Moana 2 and Gladiator II—will take the spotlight. Regardless, Wicked‘s record-breaking opening is already considered a major success for Universal Pictures and the team behind the film, and it’s likely to continue to make waves in the box office as more viewers flock to theaters.

Cinemas are celebrating the strong performance at the box office, marking one of the most successful November weekends ever. This comes after years of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s a welcome sign for both the industry and audiences eager for high-quality entertainment.