The Wicked movie has officially cemented its place as one of the year’s biggest hits, dazzling audiences and dominating the domestic box office. Despite a less robust international performance, the Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-led musical has crushed expectations in the U.S., earning $384 million to date. This makes Wicked the third-highest-grossing movie of 2024, trailing only Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Mufasa: The Lion King.
Last weekend, Wicked pulled in $14 million during its fifth weekend in theaters, marking just a 38% drop from the prior weekend. The film is now within striking distance of becoming one of the top 50 highest-grossing movies in domestic box office history. It recently edged out Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and needs less than $5 million to surpass Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
In the musical realm, Wicked has climbed to become the fourth-highest-grossing musical of all time, soaring past The Little Mermaid (2023) by a staggering $90 million. It’s now only $16 million shy of catching Disney’s Frozen, a milestone it could reach by next weekend. When it comes to fantasy films, Wicked has overtaken The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King to claim the #2 spot, though it’ll need another $220 million to topple Beauty and the Beast for the crown.
Meanwhile, Wicked is also vying for a spot among Universal Pictures’ top five highest-grossing movies, with just $40 million separating it from joining that elite club.
Wicked Outshines Gladiator 2
Premiering at the same time as Gladiator 2, Wicked has emerged as the clear victor in the U.S. box office battle. While Ridley Scott’s historical epic has performed well internationally, it has struggled domestically, to the point where it’s already available for digital purchase. In stark contrast, Universal has kept Wicked exclusively in theaters, confident in its continued box office dominance.
Over the weekend, Wicked held its own against major newcomers, finishing third behind Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Mufasa: The Lion King.
The Magic of Wicked
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked reimagines the story of the green-skinned Elphaba, who is framed by the Wizard of Oz and eventually transforms into the Wicked Witch of the West. This first installment of the two-part adaptation boasts an all-star cast, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, and a runtime of 160 minutes filled with dazzling musical numbers and heartfelt drama.
With its incredible box office performance and universal acclaim, Wicked is proving it has the charm to enchant audiences for weeks to come. Catch it in theaters now
before it becomes a cinematic legend!
