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"Wicked: For Good Breaks Box Office Records Worldwide"

Source: Wicked: For Good dominates with record breaking $226M opening weekend (2025-11-24)

Wicked: For Good has shattered box office records with an astonishing $226 million global opening weekend, including $150 million in North America. This highly anticipated sequel, directed by Jon M. Chu, marks one of the most successful launches of the year, surpassing previous records for Broadway musical adaptations. The film features pop star Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, drawing massive audiences worldwide. The opening weekend saw $68.7 million from 4,115 theaters on Friday alone, with $30.8 million from preview screenings, highlighting its widespread appeal. Notably, Wicked: For Good now holds the record for the biggest-ever opening for a Broadway musical adaptation, surpassing last year's Wicked debut of $112.5 million, and ranks as the third-most successful musical film debut in history, behind The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017). Industry analysts attribute this success to the film's star power, innovative marketing strategies, and the enduring popularity of the Wicked franchise. Recent facts that further contextualize this achievement include the film's strategic release timing during the holiday season, which maximized audience turnout; the influence of social media campaigns that generated viral buzz; the increasing global demand for musical films post-pandemic; the film's critical acclaim for its visual effects and performances; and the expansion of international markets, particularly in Asia and Europe, which contributed significantly to its worldwide gross. Additionally, the film's success is expected to boost tourism to related Broadway shows and inspire future adaptations, cementing Wicked's status as a cultural phenomenon. This record-breaking opening underscores the growing trend of musical films dominating box offices and highlights the importance of star power, innovative marketing, and global outreach in achieving cinematic success in 2025.

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