The new movie Wicked: For Good had a fantastic opening weekend, earning a remarkable $150 million in North America and $226 million globally – making it one of the biggest movie launches of the year.
The sequel everyone was waiting for earned $68.7 million at the North American box office on Friday, coming from 4,115 theaters. This total includes $30.8 million earned from showings before the official release.
This movie is the second part of the director’s ambitious project to bring the famous Broadway musical to the big screen, and it tells the never-before-seen story of how the witches of Oz came to be.
The new production, featuring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, broke several performance records.
The Hollywood Reporter says the film has broken records, earning the biggest opening weekend ever for a Broadway musical adapted into a movie. It made more than $112.5 million, exceeding the debut of ‘Wicked’ last year. Overall, it’s the third-highest-grossing opening weekend for a musical movie, only behind ‘The Lion King’ (2019) and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (2017).
A lot of the show’s success came down to the incredible performances by Erivo and Grande, especially Grande’s performance as Glinda, which is already being talked about as a potential Oscar contender.
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised Ariana Grande’s performance in the second film, stating she ‘owns’ the role and brings Glinda to life with a radiant quality.
Ariana Grande has been performing since childhood, and she portrays vulnerability and emotional depth in quiet moments, whether through introspection, anxiety, or sadness. Her dedication to the character of Elphaba also reveals this sensitivity.
He referred to both Grande and Erivo as ‘stellar vocal talents.’
Rooney wrote that Erivo continues to be incredibly powerful, possessing a voice that is stunning and a seemingly endless ability to deliver genuine emotion.
According to Rooney, the first part of the ‘Wicked’ film includes the show’s most famous songs, but truly shines because of its strong characters, compelling story, and beautiful visuals.
This film had the second-highest opening weekend before Thanksgiving and is currently the second-biggest three-day launch of 2025, only behind ‘A Minecraft Movie’.
The film earned $76 million internationally, making it the biggest opening weekend ever for a movie based on a Broadway show. It also ranks as the fifth-highest opening of any musical film ever, following only The Lion King, Moana 2, Frozen 2, and Beauty and the Beast.
Universal’s Jim Orr told Deadline that ticket sales for Wicked: For Good immediately showed incredible excitement. He described the movie as more than just entertainment – it’s become a major cultural event that’s exceeding all predictions, much like the story’s famous defying of gravity.
The movie includes two original songs – “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl In The Bubble” – sung by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as solo performances.
People had different reactions to the new songs in ‘Wicked For Good,’ but one viewer expressed their disapproval on X, simply writing, ‘They shouldn’t have added those new songs.’
Someone else said they were disappointed with “Wicked For Good” and were really sad about it, as they didn’t enjoy it.
The film has received mostly positive reviews, despite a few criticisms. Brian Viner, a film critic for The Mail, gave it a full five stars, calling it as good as, or even better than, the original.
He added: ’Like last year’s film, this one is extravagantly sumptuous on the eye.
The stage design and costumes are breathtaking, and the scene of the animals leaving Oz – having lost their ability to talk due to Morrible’s actions – is beautifully done.
Erivo and Grande both give outstanding performances, and they absolutely deserve all the praise they’re sure to receive.
‘It was slow, it didn’t flow well, the new songs were unnecessary and it just wasn’t it.’
Someone else mentioned they enjoyed ‘Wicked For Good’ a little more than the original ‘Wicked,’ but felt the music wasn’t as strong.
While a fourth remarked: ‘I don’t get it. They obv are going for best original song awards.
‘I really thought Stephen Schwartz would go all out with the original songs.
When I first heard the song ‘For Good’ from Wicked, my initial thought was, “Is that all there is to it?” I was honestly underwhelmed.
Someone else added that while the show had issues with its speed, new songs, and lighting, the strong acting made it worthwhile.
The fight scene is handled with great comedic timing, and both actors perform their songs with true star power.
‘For those who know the stage musical inside-out, there are one or two new ones to savour.’
The film will once again feature Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Ethan Slater, alongside new cast member Colman Domingo, who will voice the character of Brr the Cowardly Lion.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m fascinated by how stories evolve! The incredibly popular musical Wicked actually started as a novel back in 1995, written by Gregory Maguire. But it doesn’t stop there – Maguire’s book was a fresh take on the classic Wizard of Oz story, and especially inspired by the beloved 1939 film starring Judy Garland. It’s amazing to see how these different versions build on each other!
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- The rise of the mature single woman: Why celebs like Trinny Woodall, 61, Jane Fonda, 87, and Sharon Stone, 67, are choosing to be on their own – and thriving!
- Chuck Mangione, Grammy-winning jazz superstar and composer, dies at 84
- Clash Royale Furnace Evolution best decks guide
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2025: Match results and more!
- When Is Predator: Badlands’ Digital & Streaming Release Date?
- Best Arena 9 Decks in Clast Royale
- Deneme Bonusu Veren Siteler – En Gvenilir Bahis Siteleri 2025.4338
- Clash Royale Witch Evolution best decks guide
2025-11-23 20:19