Cynthia Erivo, from left, director Jon M. Chu and Ariana Grande pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Wicked For Good" in London, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (AP Photo)
Universal’s bold two-part musical bet has paid off again. “Wicked: For Good” has soared past expectations, drawing massive crowds to cinemas worldwide. The second chapter of the hit Broadway adaptation opened with a stunning $150 million in North America and $226 million globally, according to early studio estimates. The film has now outshined the record set by the first installment and has become the biggest musical adaptation debut in history.
A Powerful Start at the Box Office
Universal started rolling out the film early in the week, offering previews that drew strong interest. Monday brought in $6.1 million, and Wednesday added $6.5 million. By the time Friday arrived, the film was playing in more than 4,100 locations across North America. It reached $68.6 million by the end of its first full day.
IMAX screenings proved exceptionally popular. They contributed $15.5 million, marking a November record for the company. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said the performance shows how the platform is expanding beyond its usual audience.
Women and Fans Drive the Momentum
Much like the first film, women formed the core of opening weekend audiences, making up 71 percent of ticket buyers. Critical reactions were mixed, but viewers strongly supported the finale. Eighty-three percent said they would “definitely recommend” the film, according to PostTrak. EntTelligence also reported that around two million more people showed up for this sequel’s opening weekend compared to the first film.
A Cultural Moment Continues
Director Jon M. Chu returned to lead both films, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in starring roles. The original film earned $758.7 million globally and took home two Oscars from ten nominations.
With both chapters costing roughly $300 million to produce (excluding marketing), the studio now watches closely to see how high the finale will fly.
Universal’s domestic distribution head, Jim Orr, said the momentum shows no signs of slowing. He believes the story has grown into a cultural event that will continue drawing audiences through the season.
A Competitive Weekend, but One Clear Winner
Two other films opened wide but trailed far behind the “Wicked” wave. Searchlight’s “Rental Family,” starring Brendan Fraser, earned $3.3 million in 1,925 theaters. The Finnish action release “Sisu: Road to Revenge” collected $2.6 million across 2,222 theaters.
“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” secured second place with $9.1 million, while “Predator: Badlands” followed with $6.3 million. “The Running Man” claimed fourth with $5.8 million, marking a sharp drop from its debut.
A Crucial Boost for Theaters
Industry analysts say “Wicked: For Good” has arrived at the perfect moment. After a slow fall season, major titles are needed to revive year-end numbers. Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian noted that the film sets the stage for a strong finish in the final weeks of the year.
The upcoming arrival of “Zootopia 2” is expected to strengthen the Thanksgiving window—one of the most important periods for moviegoing. Last year, a similar lineup helped deliver a record-breaking holiday frame.
Domestic box office totals currently stand near $7.5 billion. The industry hopes to reach $9 billion this year, a more achievable target in the post-pandemic landscape. Whether upcoming releases like “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” can help push revenue to that level remains to be seen.
Top 10 Movies (Weekend Estimates)
- Wicked: For Good — $150 million
- Now You See Me: Now You Don’t — $9.1 million
- Predator: Badlands — $6.3 million
- The Running Man — $5.8 million
- Rental Family — $3.3 million
- Sisu: Road to Revenge — $2.6 million
- Regretting You — $1.5 million
- Nuremberg — $1.2 million
- Black Phone 2 — $1 million
