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The magical journey of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo continues to enchant audiences worldwide as Wicked: For Good crosses a major milestone at the global box office. In just 17 days of theatrical release, this Broadway musical adaptation has demonstrated remarkable staying power, particularly in the United States where it’s holding its ground against major competitors like Zootopia 2.
The sequel has now officially entered the $400 million club, currently standing at an impressive $406.6 million worldwide. This achievement makes it the 14th highest-grossing film of 2024, showcasing the enduring appeal of the beloved musical franchise.
The domestic performance has been nothing short of spectacular, with $278 million earned from 4,115 theaters across North America. This strong showing reflects the deep connection American audiences have with the Wicked story, proving that the first film’s success wasn’t just a one-time phenomenon.
However, the international markets tell a different story. With $128.5 million from 78 overseas territories, the film’s global reach hasn’t quite matched its domestic dominance. This pattern mirrors what we saw with the original Wicked film, where international audiences showed less enthusiasm compared to their American counterparts.
The overseas performance faces additional challenges from the fierce competition posed by Disney’s Zootopia 2, which has captured significant market share in key international territories. This has somewhat limited Wicked: For Good’s ability to maximize its global potential during its initial weeks.
Despite current international challenges, there’s significant optimism for the film’s future prospects. China is set to open its doors to the musical during the Christmas season, potentially providing a substantial boost to the international numbers. Additionally, the highly anticipated Japanese release scheduled for next year could significantly shift the global box office landscape for the film.
Industry analysts are projecting that Wicked: For Good could reach approximately $450 million by the end of this weekend. If the Asian market rollout proves successful, particularly in China and Japan, the film could potentially land somewhere between $590 million and $640 million worldwide by the end of its theatrical run.
The film has already climbed past several notable releases this year, overtaking titles like Thunderbolts and Sinners to secure its position in the top 15 highest-grossing films of 2024. This upward trajectory suggests there’s still considerable room for growth as the film expands into new markets.
What makes this success particularly impressive is the film’s ability to maintain consistent daily attendance in the United States. The movie continues to draw crowds regularly, demonstrating the kind of word-of-mouth momentum that can sustain a film’s box office performance well beyond its opening weeks.
The Broadway musical adaptation genre has proven its commercial viability once again with Wicked: For Good’s performance. The film successfully translates the stage magic to the big screen while maintaining the emotional connection that fans have with the original story and characters.
Looking ahead, the Christmas season could provide another significant boost to the film’s performance. Holiday audiences often gravitate toward family-friendly entertainment, and Wicked: For Good fits perfectly into that category with its uplifting themes and spectacular musical numbers.
The current box office breakdown shows the film’s strength in its home market: Domestic earnings of $278 million represent approximately 68% of the total gross, while international earnings of $128.5 million make up the remaining 32%. This distribution suggests untapped potential in overseas markets, particularly as the film rolls out in Asia.
As Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s performances continue to receive critical acclaim, the film’s awards season prospects could also provide additional promotional momentum. Recognition during the upcoming awards cycle might help sustain audience interest and drive continued box office performance.
The success of Wicked: For Good reinforces the appetite for high-quality musical adaptations and sets a positive precedent for future Broadway-to-Hollywood translations. With its current trajectory and upcoming international expansions, fans and industry watchers alike are eager to see just how high this magical journey will soar before its theatrical curtain call.
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