Wicked: For Good soars worldwide, opening with $226 million.
Wicked: For Good stunned the industry, opening to $226 million worldwide — far above predictions — proving the sequel’s stronger pull and the franchise’s growing global magic.
Wicked: For Good stunned the global film industry with an extraordinary $226 million opening weekend — a launch so strong that it didn’t just exceed projections, it shattered them. For a sequel to outperform its own blockbuster predecessor is rare; for a Broadway musical adaptation to set new records in both domestic and international markets is rarer still. Yet that’s exactly what Universal’s Wicked 2 accomplished, proving that the franchise’s spellbinding world, beloved characters, and emotional storytelling still have a firm grip on audiences everywhere.
What makes this debut even more remarkable is the timing. Hollywood has been weathering a sluggish season at the domestic box office, with several titles underperforming and exhibitors worrying about dwindling footfall. Into that uncertainty, Wicked: For Good arrived like a jolt of electricity. The film not only drew in devoted fans who have grown with the franchise, but also captivated new viewers with the promise of spectacle, heart, and music that fills entire theatres with collective emotion.
Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian described the film’s performance as a “much-needed momentum boost,” and that wasn’t hyperbole. Studios, theatres, and even filmmakers themselves have been looking for a win big enough to reignite the year-end market — something with enough enthusiasm behind it to cut through the fatigue of slower months. According to Dergarabedian, Wicked: For Good does more than just steady the industry; it “positions the box office for a more confident, healthier finish to the year,” especially with major releases like Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash still on the horizon.
The impact of Wicked: For Good becomes even clearer when compared with the other newcomers of the weekend. Sony’s Sisu: Road to Revenge — despite coming with decent buzz from genre fans — mustered only $2.6 million in its opening frame. Searchlight’s Rental Family, a quieter, arthouse-leaning drama, fared slightly better but still modestly, landing at $3.3 million. These are not unusual numbers for smaller titles, but they highlight the massive gulf created when one film overwhelmingly captures the cultural moment.
Meanwhile, a cluster of holdovers helped fill out the top of the charts. Now You See Me 3, benefiting from strong word of mouth and franchise familiarity, remains a key player. Predator: Badlands, with its rugged action appeal, and The Running Man, a reimagined take on the classic property, also maintained comfortable spots in the top five. But even collectively, none came close to matching the gravitational pull of Wicked: For Good.
For audiences, part of the sequel’s magic lies in its emotional payoff. Fans waited years to see the continuation of Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, especially after the first film became an iconic adaptation that introduced millions to Oz in a fresh, visually rich way. Wicked: For Good delivers that continuation with more grandeur — bigger musical numbers, richer world-building, and character arcs that deepen rather than simply repeat. Social media across countries lit up with reactions: tears, cheers, and countless videos of packed theatres singing along or gasping during pivotal scenes.
Internationally, the film’s success is a testament to how deeply the Wicked universe has rooted itself in hearts far beyond Broadway or Hollywood. It’s rare for a musical — a genre that is often considered culturally specific — to resonate so strongly across continents. Yet Wicked has always been an exception. Its themes of friendship, identity, and destiny cross cultural boundaries easily, and its lush fantasy setting gives it universal appeal. With the sequel, that appeal seems to have grown even wider, broadening the film’s global footprint.
Industry insiders have pointed out that the audience turnout was surprisingly diverse, attracting families, teens, longtime theatre lovers, and even casual moviegoers looking for an escape from real-world anxieties. In a year filled with intense dramas, heavy action films, and franchise fatigue, Wicked: For Good offered something different — a story that was uplifting without being escapist, emotional without being heavy, and grand without losing its human heart.
The film’s record-setting launch is likely to influence the strategic decisions of studios moving forward. Musicals, long considered risky investments, may see renewed confidence from producers. At the same time, the film serves as a reminder that audiences still show up in overwhelming numbers when a story feels meaningful, when the world around it feels fully lived in, and when the filmmaking honors the emotional core of its source material.
For now, Universal has every reason to celebrate. Wicked: For Good hasn’t just opened strong — it has set the tone for the remaining weeks of the year. With holiday season crowds gearing up and repeat viewership already kicking in, the sequel’s journey is likely just beginning. And for the box office — weary from months of unpredictability — the film’s massive opening feels like a gust of fresh, green-tinted air.
In a year when Hollywood desperately needed a win, Oz delivered.