‘Wicked’ continues to prove its spell over audiences hasn’t faded. Universal Pictures’ musical sequel Wicked: For Good delivered an extraordinary $68.6 million its opening Friday with additional $30 million from preview screenings, setting off a remarkable start from 4,115 theaters across North America. With these numbers, the film is now tracking for a towering $151.5 million opening weekend through Sunday — a performance that instantly places it in the upper tier of 2025’s box office success stories.
The opening day haul positions For Good as the second-biggest debut of the year so far, trailing only behind the sensational launch of A Minecraft Movie, which bowed at $162 million. It also edges comfortably past Disney’s Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, which posted a strong but lower $146 million opening weekend. For a musical — and more specifically, for a Broadway adaptation — this kind of trajectory is practically unprecedented. Universal now finds itself holding one of the genre’s most successful openings in cinematic history.
The momentum behind Wicked: For Good reflects a sustained and powerful fanbase that has only intensified since the release of the first film in 2024. That earlier installment earned $112 million in its opening weekend and grew into a global phenomenon with a worldwide total north of $750 million. But the performance of the sequel is already surpassing expectations, suggesting a broader, more mainstream audience reach, boosted by the popularity of the cast, the enduring legacy of the stage musical, and Universal’s extensive year-long marketing campaign.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande lead the cast, reprising their roles as Elphaba and Glinda. Their performances, widely praised in early reactions, appear to be contributing significantly to the film’s box office firepower. Social media buzz peaked as soon as Friday numbers were released, with fans citing the emotional scale, expanded world-building, and bigger musical sequences as key reasons to watch the second chapter on the biggest screen possible.
The film’s strong previews earlier in the week also hinted at this momentum. Wicked: For Good amassed $30.8 million from early fan screenings and midweek events, immediately establishing itself as one of the most in-demand year-end releases. Combined with Friday’s turnout, the film has quickly become the highest-grossing opening day ever for a Broadway adaptation and sits among the top openings in Universal’s history — surpassed only by Jurassic World, which continues to hold the studio’s record.
Industry analysts are watching closely to see how the film performs over the holiday corridor. With Thanksgiving approaching, musicals with strong family appeal often enjoy boosted weekday numbers and exceptional holds across their second weekend. If For Good maintains its current pace, it could be on track to deliver one of the most successful domestic runs for a musical film. The global outlook is also positive, as the first film performed strongly overseas and established a reliable international fanbase.
Universal’s release strategy — spanning heavy promotional pushes across streaming, social platforms, and Broadway-focused communities — has paid off with clear precision. The studio also capitalized on the still-growing resurgence in event-musical filmmaking, positioning Wicked: For Good as both a blockbuster sequel and a major theatrical experience built around scale, spectacle, and nostalgia.
As weekend numbers continue to build, Wicked: For Good has positioned itself as one of the defining big-screen moments of the year. If Sunday projections hold, the film will solidify its place next to 2025’s standout openings. For now, one thing is clear: Wicked still knows exactly how to stay popular, and audiences are turning out in full force for another trip to the Land of Oz.
Read More: