"Wicked: For Good" Achieves Record-Breaking Opening Weekend

Universal Pictures' musical sequel, "Wicked: For Good," has made a significant impact at the box office, earning $68.6 million on its opening day, which includes preview screenings across 4,115 locations in North America. This figure positions the film on track for a projected $151.5 million opening weekend, potentially marking the largest debut ever for a Broadway adaptation and the second-largest for a Universal release, trailing only "Jurassic World." This opening surpasses the $112 million debut of the original "Wicked" film released in the same pre-Thanksgiving timeframe last year.

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The film has also performed well internationally, grossing $14.9 million during its first two days in 59 markets. Notable earnings came from Australia, Korea, and Germany, with Korea leading the way at $1.7 million by Friday. The film's rollout included significant presales, particularly in the UK and Ireland, where double-bill previews garnered $1.4 million on Thursday. The film is expected to maintain high demand through the Thanksgiving holiday and into December.

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Despite the impressive box office figures, early reviews for "Wicked: For Good" have been mixed compared to its predecessor, which received widespread acclaim. However, audience reception appears positive, as indicated by a Cinema Score grade of "A," consistent with the original film's audience feedback.

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The success of "Wicked: For Good" is seen as a much-needed boost for North American theaters, which have been lacking major blockbusters for several months. The last film to achieve a nine-digit opening was "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" in July. The film's performance is particularly notable as it has captured a significant share of premium large-format theaters, benefiting from higher ticket prices.

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While the film's box office success is celebrated, some critics have pointed out that the early release strategy, which included previews earlier in the week, may inflate opening day figures. This practice has become more common in recent years, raising questions about the accuracy of comparing opening day numbers across different films.

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• “Regardless, it’s still a spectacular start for the PG-rated musical and a shot in the arm for North American theaters, which have been starved of a true blockbuster for several months now.” — Variety

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• “Wicked: For Good holds a 45% share of the market, and has registered the second-biggest opening Thursday of the year (only behind Jurassic World Rebirth).” — Deadline

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As "Wicked: For Good" continues its rollout, updates on its performance in additional international markets, including China and Japan, are anticipated. The film's success may pave the way for further adaptations of stage musicals in the future.

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