Wicked, the cinematic adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, has achieved remarkable success at the box office. This captivating film explores the origins of Elphaba, portrayed by Cynthia Erivo, who ultimately becomes the Wicked Witch of the West in the beloved tale of The Wizard of Oz. The story also delves into her unexpected friendship with Glinda, played by Ariana Grande-Butera. Released just before Thanksgiving in 2024, this adaptation surged to the top of the charts, establishing itself as the highest-grossing Broadway musical film of all time, topping both domestic and global earnings.
According to Deadline, Wicked has surpassed the $700 million mark at the global box office. The film’s earnings include a substantial $460.6 million from domestic audiences and $240.4 million from international markets. It is noteworthy that Wicked is now the sixth film released in 2024 to achieve this milestone, following titles such as Dune: Part Two and Despicable Me 4. Furthermore, it holds the distinction of being the 147th film in history to reach this significant box office threshold.
Implications of Wicked’s Box Office Success
Potential for Greater Earnings Without International Limitations
While the achievement of reaching this milestone is indeed impressive, Wicked’s success is mainly attributed to its domestic box office performance, which is somewhat atypical for a major global success. The film currently ranks as the top stage musical adaptation in 45 different markets yet holds only the third position for overall international earnings, trailing behind Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!. This phenomenon may be linked to the unique nostalgia associated with The Wizard of Oz and the Wicked stage musical, which may not resonate as strongly with audiences in non-English-speaking regions. A breakdown of significant international markets contributing to the film’s earnings is as follows:
| Territory | Gross |
|---|---|
| The UK | $74.3 million |
| Australia | $28.9 million |
| Germany | $16.9 million |
| South Korea | $15.2 million |
| Mexico | $10.2 million |
| The Netherlands | $7.9 million |
| Spain | $7.1 million |
| France | $6 million |
| The Philippines | $5.6 million |
| Brazil | $4.4 million |
Despite international challenges, the film’s financial performance has thrived. With an estimated production budget of $150 million, its break-even mark was approximately $375 million, which it has well exceeded. Notably, the earnings have already set the stage for the anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good, which carries a similar budget. Thus, the combined earnings target for both films is around $750 million globally.
Analysis of Wicked’s Box Office Achievement
Wicked’s Box Office Journey is Approaching Its Conclusion
Looking ahead, it appears that Wicked may not significantly increase its box office yield as it approaches the later stages of its theatrical run. Surpassing the $800 million threshold will likely prove difficult, especially since the film is already into its ninth weekend of release and is available for home viewing. Nonetheless, there is a possibility that it could surpass Dune: Part Two’s gross of $714.4 million to secure the fifth spot among 2024’s highest-grossing films, particularly if it earns multiple Academy Award nominations in the upcoming announcement set for January 19.
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Source: Deadline
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