Wicked Passes Major Global Box Office Milestone Only Accomplished By Six 2024 Movies

Wicked has 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 from The Wizard of Oz, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera). The Wicked release kicked 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’s Grease) and worldwide (beating Mamma Mia!).

Per Deadline, Wicked has 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, following Dune: Part Two ($714.4 million), Despicable Me 4 ($969.1 million), Moana 2 ($991.3 million), Deadpool & Wolverine ($1.338 billion), and Inside 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 this Wicked box office milestone 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, behind Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!. This could be the case because it harnesses nostalgia for the original Wizard of Oz and the Wicked stage 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:

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 the upcoming Wicked: For Good as well, as the sequel’s matching $150 million price tag means that the 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 that Wicked will 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 that it could climb past the $714.4 million gross of Dune: Part Two to 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.

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Source: Deadline

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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.

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Runtime

160 Minutes

Cast

Cynthia Erivo
, Ariana Grande
, Michelle Yeoh
, Jeff Goldblum
, Jonathan Bailey
, Ethan Slater
, Marissa Bode
, Bowen Yang
, Bronwyn James
, Keala Settle
, Peter Dinklage
, Aaron Teoh
, Grecia De la Paz
, Colin Michael Carmichael
, Adam James
, Andy Nyman
, Courtney Mae-Briggs
, Sharon D. Clarke
, Jenna Boyd

Character(s)

Elphaba Thropp
, Glinda Upland
, Madame Morrible
, The Wizard
, Fiyero Tigelaar
, Boq
, Nessarose Thropp
, Pfannee
, ShenShen
, Miss Coddle
, Doctor Dillamond (voice)
, Avaric Tenmeadows
, Gilligan
, Professor Nikidik
, Glinda’s Father
, Governor Frexspar Thropp
, Melena Thropp
, The Midwife

Director

Jon M. Chu

Writers

Gregory Maguire
, Winnie Holzman
, Dana Fox
, L. Frank Baum

Studio(s)

Marc Platt Productions

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

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