The magic of Oz has officially taken over the Thanksgiving weekend. Universal’s Wicked: For Good is soaring far beyond industry expectations, lighting up the box office with a massive opening that’s already setting new records and giving Hollywood the jolt it desperately needed.
A Historic Opening That Outshines All Predictions
After a stunning $68.7 million Friday haul — which includes $30.8 million from previews — the Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo–starrer is now pacing toward a $151 million-plus debut in North America and $228 million worldwide.
Audiences aren’t just showing up — they’re loving it. The film has earned a glowing A Cinemascore and a 96% Rotten Tomatoes audience rating, confirming that word of mouth is officially on fire.
Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Take the Witches of Oz to New Heights
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good marks the second installment of his ambitious adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical. Ariana Grande steps into Glinda’s shimmering shoes, while Cynthia Erivo brings emotional intensity to Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West.
The combination of star power, nostalgia, and Chu’s world-building seems to be striking exactly the right chord with moviegoers.
Record Books Are About to Be Rewritten
If projections hold, the film is set to break several major box office milestones:
Domestic Records in Sight
- Biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation
(surpassing last year’s Wicked at $112.5M) - Third-biggest opening for any musical film
(behind The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast) - Second-biggest North American opening for a Universal film
(after Jurassic World) - One of the strongest pre-Thanksgiving weekend openings in history
(just behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire)
Global Milestones
- Highest worldwide opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation
- Expected to place among the top five musical openings of all time
(behind The Lion King, Moana 2, Frozen 2 and Beauty and the Beast) - Poised to become the fourth-biggest global three-day opening of 2025
This momentum mirrors last year’s Wicked, which went on to earn nearly $750 million globally.
A Much-Needed Boost for a Struggling Box Office
Hollywood’s fall box office has been unusually weak, weighed down by a lineup heavy on male-skewing films and light on family content. But Wicked: For Good has changed the energy entirely.
Nearly 70% of Friday’s audience consisted of female moviegoers, sending a strong message about the buying power of women and younger audiences — and why studios cannot overlook them.
Industry insiders say Universal’s Donna Langley, who has long pushed to keep musicals alive despite past disappointments, is now seeing that persistence pay off in spectacular fashion.
Final Words
With glowing reviews, an enthusiastic audience, and a record-setting global rollout, Wicked: For Good is proving that big-screen musicals still have the power to bring in massive crowds — especially when backed by strong storytelling and star performances. Its extraordinary opening weekend not only elevates the franchise but also injects much-needed life into the holiday box office.
