LOS ANGELES, Nov 23 \u2014 Universal\u2019s Thanksgiving tentpole Wicked: For Good is on course for a record-breaking debut, raking in over US$151 million in North America and US$228 million globally, industry analysts say.<\/p>\n
Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the female-led musical adaptation of the iconic Broadway hit topped Friday\u2019s North American chart with US$68.7 million from 4,115 theatres, including US$30.8 million from previews.<\/p>\n
The Hollywood Reporter reported that audiences have responded enthusiastically, giving the film an A Cinemascore and a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film is the second instalment in his ambitious big-screen adaptation of the untold story of the witches of Oz.<\/p>\n
If it hits projections, Wicked: For Good will set a host of records. Domestically, it is on track for the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, surpassing last year\u2019s Wicked, which grossed US$112.5 million.<\/p>\n
It is also set to become the third-highest opening of all time among any musical, behind 2019\u2019s The Lion King and 2017\u2019s Beauty and the Beast.<\/p>\n
The film also ranks as the second-biggest North American opening for a Universal title, behind Jurassic World (US$208.8 million), and marks the second-best pre-Thanksgiving weekend launch behind The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (US$158.1 million).<\/p>\n
It is the second-best three-day launch of 2025 to date, following A Minecraft Movie (US$208.9 million).<\/p>\n
The report further stated, Globally, Wicked: For Good is set to surpass its predecessor to become the top-grossing launch for a Broadway adaptation, and the fifth-biggest opening ever for any musical, trailing The Lion King (2019), Moana 2, Frozen 2, and Beauty and the Beast.<\/p>\n
It would also register as the fourth-biggest three-day opening of the year to date, behind Jurassic World Rebirth, Minecraft, and Lilo & Stitch.<\/p>\n
The film\u2019s strong debut is seen as a boost for the struggling North American box office, which has faced one of its worst falls in decades amid a shortage of female- and family-focused titles.<\/p>\n
Nearly 70 percent of Friday\u2019s audience were women, highlighting the buying power of female moviegoers.<\/p>\n
NBCUniversal entertainment chief Donna Langley, who has long sought to make Broadway adaptations a Hollywood success, has now achieved that goal, even after previous setbacks such as Cats.<\/p>\n
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