Wickedhas hit a new high at the box office. The movie is based on the Broadway musical of the same name which tells the origin story of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West fromThe Wizard of Oz, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera). TheWickedreleasekicked off the weekend before Thanksgiving in 2024 and its box office quickly rose to make it the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation both domestically (beating 1978’sGrease) and worldwide (beatingMamma Mia!).
PerDeadline,Wickedhas now crossed the $700 million milestone at the global box office. This comes from a $460.6 million domestic gross with an additional $240.4 million from international markets. It is only the sixth 2024 release to have passed that milestone, followingDune: Part Two($714.4 million),Despicable Me 4($969.1 million),Moana 2($991.3 million),Deadpool & Wolverine($1.338 billion), andInside Out 2($1.699 billion). It is also the 147th movie to ever cross this milestone in the history of the box office.
What This Means For Wicked
It Could Have Been An Even Bigger Hit If Not For International Markets
While thisWickedbox officemilestone is impressive,it has accomplished it primarily on the strength of its domestic performance, which is relatively unusual for a global hit. While the movie is the No. 1 stage musical adaptation in 45 markets, it is still only the third highest-grossing overall internationally, behindLes MisérablesandMamma Mia!. This could be the case because it harnesses nostalgia for the originalWizard of Ozand theWickedstage show that doesn’t exist in the same widespread way in non-English-speaking markets. Below, see which international territories have contributed the most to its international total:
$74.3 million
$28.9 million
$16.9 million
$15.2 million
$10.2 million
$7.9 million
$7.1 million
$6 million
$5.6 million
Brazil
$4.4 million
However, the movie has not suffered from its share of international disinterest. Because it cost an estimated $150 million, its break-even point was most likely somewhere around $375 million, a point it is well past. In fact, it has already nearly paid for theupcomingWicked: For Goodas well, as the sequel’s matching $150 million price tag means thatthe duology likely only needs to earn $750 million worldwide altogether to make that money back.
Our Take On The Wicked Box Office Milestone
Wicked Is Nearing The End Of Its Run
Ultimately, it seems unlikely thatWickedwill climb much higher up the chart. Passing the $800 million milestone seems like a tall order, considering the fact that the movie is entering its ninth weekend in theaters and is already available for rental and purchase at home. However, it is entirely possible thatit could climb past the $714.4 million gross ofDune: Part Twoto become the No. 5 movie of 2024 before the end of its run, especially if it is nominated for multiple Oscars come the announcement on January 19, which seems entirely within the realm of possibility.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
