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Wicked: For Good surges with a $226M global debut
The second cinematic installment of the Wicked saga, Wicked: For Good, injected new life into a flagging global box office with a $226 million opening weekend. Studios and exhibitors breathed easier as the musical sequel posted a strong split: roughly $150 million from North America and $76 million from international markets. That performance makes it one of 2025’s biggest debuts and a rare bright spot in a year marked by several expensive flops.
How it stacks up against 2025’s biggest openings
Wicked: For Good ranks as the fourth-biggest opening of the year so far, trailing Lilo & Stitch ($341M), Jurassic World Rebirth ($322M), and A Minecraft Movie ($313M). It also finished ahead of recent superhero tentpoles like Superman ($220M) and The Fantastic Four ($218M), underscoring the enduring appeal of musical adaptations when executed at scale.
The film premiered across 78 markets. Top territories included the UK & Ireland ($24.4M), Australia ($8.6M), and Germany ($4.1M). Importantly, this sequel broadened its global reach compared with the first film: while the original Wicked drew 62% of its box office from North America, For Good captured a larger international share — a trend studios prize when aiming for long-tail revenue.
A different tone, a bigger gamble
Directed by John M. Chu, the sequel closes the Elphaba-Glinda arc with a darker, more dramatic approach than the first film. Industry chatter notes that For Good leans into stakes and spectacle rather than the earworm-heavy score that stocked repeat viewings for musical hits. That tonal shift could mean steadier front-loaded box office rather than the longer legs some musicals enjoy, but early holiday-weekend results suggest solid demand.
John M. Chu’s previous work — from the celebratory musical In the Heights to the mainstream rom-coms and large-scale productions he’s helmed — shows he’s comfortable bridging stage material and mainstream audiences. Comparisons to other stage-to-screen adaptations (In the Heights, Les Misérables) are inevitable: some of those films found modest beginnings before word-of-mouth carried them; others relied on devoted fanbases to sustain box office.
Industry context and what this means for the season
Wicked: For Good’s success is meaningful in a year when many studios struggled to turn blockbusters into profit. It also hints at a durable appetite for prestige musical adaptations — provided studios invest in clear storytelling and spectacle. The film’s performance, alongside launches like Zootopia 2 arriving over the Thanksgiving window, could produce one of the healthiest holiday box office stretches in several years.
David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research noted the film’s strengths while flagging its relative international limits: “Wicked is built on an American classic, so domestic affection is natural. The only constraint is extending that emotional connection abroad.” Critics and fans alike have already been debating whether the darker tone pays off, even as ticket sales point to commercial success.
"Wicked: For Good demonstrates how a sequel can expand its audience while changing tone," says Maya Patel, cinema historian. "Chu balances spectacle with a more somber narrative arc, and that risk appears to be paying off at the box office. Expect passionate fan response to shape its long-term performance."
Beyond numbers, the film has energized the Ozians — the fandom around Oz — and reignited conversations about how stage musicals translate to screen. Behind-the-scenes tidbits circulating on social media hint at ambitious set pieces and practical effects designed to keep the theatrical energy intact.
Light criticism is already surfacing: some fans miss the singable standout tracks that powered the first release, while others praise the sequel’s emotional closure. Whether For Good becomes a long-running seasonal favorite will depend on word-of-mouth, awards attention, and how it fares against family-oriented competition during the holidays.
In short, Wicked: For Good didn’t just open big — it reminded the industry that carefully produced musical adaptations can still move audiences and money. If it sustains momentum through Thanksgiving, the sequel may define the box office rebound studios hoped to see this year.
Comments
atomwave
Wait what, $226M?? That's wild. Darker tone paid off then? wanna see if it sticks past Thanksgiving, fingers crossed lol
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