‘Wicked: For Good’ Smashes Records With $226M Global Debut

‘Wicked: For Good’ Casts a Spell With $150M U.S. Debut

*Welp! The magic of Oz is alive and well. Universal’s “Wicked: For Good” opened to a dazzling $150 million in North America, claiming the second-largest domestic debut of 2025.

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Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film landed in 4,115 theaters and conjured 10 million tickets sold—two million more than Part 1.

Global Opening Hits $226M as Musical Sequel Soars

International markets chipped in another $76 million, lifting the global total to $226 million. That makes it the fourth-biggest worldwide opening of the year, outpacing heavyweights like “Superman.”

“Wicked: For Good” now holds the record for the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, beating its own predecessor’s $112.5 million debut last year.

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What Made ‘Wicked: For Good’ Such a Hit?

Several factors drove this emerald-powered success:

Fan Loyalty: The first film earned 10 Oscar nods. This one delivers the dramatic payoff fans were waiting for.
Star Power: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s chemistry was an instant hit with critics and audiences alike.
Holiday Timing: A strategic pre-Thanksgiving release plus merchandise and soundtrack drops boosted buzz.

Early screenings raked in $30.8 million before the weekend even started—more than any other 2025 film to date.

Premium Formats Push Profits Even Higher

Roughly 30% of all tickets were for premium large formats, up from just 18% for the first film. That added millions in high-dollar sales.

Audiences gave the film an “A” CinemaScore—matching Part 1—which suggests strong legs through the crowded holiday season.

Comparing ‘Wicked: For Good’ to Other 2025 Hits

Here’s how it stacks up against this year’s box office juggernauts:

Domestic: $150M (just behind “Minecraft,” ahead of “Lilo & Stitch”)
Global: $226M (trailing “Lilo & Stitch” and “Jurassic World Rebirth”)
Tickets Sold: ~10 million (vs. 8 million for Part 1)
Budget: $300 million combined for both parts

If it repeats Part 1’s 6.7x multiplier, this sequel could cross $1 billion globally with ease.

Box Office Experts Say It’s a “Sensational Opening”

Franchise Entertainment Research’s David A. Gross called the debut “sensational,” noting the film’s loyalty to the Broadway source material as a major plus.

With box office revenues only up 1% year-to-date, “Wicked: For Good” is the boost Hollywood needed before Thanksgiving—and with “Zootopia 2” dropping soon, the race for holiday dominance is on.

What’s Next for the ‘Wicked’ Universe?

With Part 2 now soaring at the box office, fans are speculating about possible spin-offs or stage revivals tied to the film’s success. Universal, clearly betting big, may keep this Oz magic going.

In the meantime, Erivo and Grande’s performance is already generating Oscar buzz—and fans are lining up for repeat viewings through December and beyond.