Ariana Grande's Wicked Soars to Record-Breaking $114M Opening Weekend Despite Box Office Slump
Ariana Grande's "Wicked" has achieved a historic $114 million opening weekend, setting a new record for Broadway film adaptations. The success comes during a notable pre-Thanksgiving weekend that matched 2019's pre-pandemic performance levels.
The film's success was largely driven by its star power, with 39% of viewers attending specifically to see Grande or Cynthia Erivo, while 29% were drawn by the musical's existing fanbase. This performance positions "Wicked" as the third-biggest opening of the year, surpassing "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" ($111 million).
Wicked stars pose in character costumes
The timing proved strategic, as Thanksgiving releases traditionally perform well. For context, Disney's "Frozen" (2013) holds the record for the biggest five-day Thanksgiving weekend opening at $93.5 million.
The weekend's success extended beyond "Wicked," with "Gladiator II" contributing $55.5 million domestically. This combined performance marks the strongest pre-Thanksgiving weekend since 2013's "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire."
National Association of Theatre Owners President & CEO Michael O'Leary noted that this success, along with strong pre-sales for upcoming releases like "Moana 2," demonstrates the enduring appeal of theatrical experiences and signals a promising outlook for December and beyond.
"Wicked" now ranks as the 10th biggest November opening at the domestic box office, indicating a potential revival in theatrical attendance as the industry continues its post-pandemic recovery.
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