‘Wicked: For Good’ Opens to Record-Smashing $151 Million
Los Angeles – Universal’s Wicked: For Good launched to a phenomenal $151 million domestically over the three-day weekend, shattering box office expectations and setting numerous records. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the film’s success signals a powerful resurgence in female-driven cinema and a major win for Broadway adaptations.
The female-fueled movie is poised to redefine opening weekend benchmarks. domestically, it boasts the biggest start ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, surpassing last year’s Wicked at $112.5 million. It also ranks as the third-biggest opening of all time among any musical, trailing only 2019’s The Lion King and 2017’s Beauty and the Beast. Further, it marks the second-biggest North American opening ever for a Universal title, behind Jurassic World ($208.8 million), and the second-best pre-Thanksgiving weekend launch behind The Hunger Games: catching Fire ($158.1 million). It currently stands as the second-best three-day launch of 2025 to date, behind A Minecraft Movie ($208.9 million). Lilo & Stitch, released over Memorial Day, earned $147 million for the three-day weekend and $182.6 million for the four-day holiday frame.
Globally, Wicked: For Good has already surpassed the original Wicked to claim the top launch ever for a Broadway adaptation.It’s projected to become the fifth-biggest opening of all time for any musical, behind The Lion King (2019), Moana 2, Frozen 2, and Beauty and the Beast. The film is also currently the fourth-biggest three-day opening of the year, trailing Jurassic World Rebirth, Minecraft, and Lilo & Stitch.
The film’s performance is a significant boost to the North American box office, which has recently struggled due to a prevalence of male-skewing films and a lack of content appealing to female and family audiences. Notably, nearly 70 percent of Friday’s audience were female, demonstrating ample buying power among girls and women.
This success follows the original Wicked’s historic debut a year ago, which ultimately grossed nearly $750 million globally - a record for a broadway musical adaptation. NBCUniversal entertainment chief Donna Langley has championed these adaptations, even after the underperformance of Cats, and has now demonstrably succeeded in revitalizing the genre.
