‘Wicked: For Good’ Breaks 2025 Records with $68.6M Opening Day Domestically

‘Wicked: For Good’ is taking the box office by storm. The sequel to 2024’s hit musical adaptation opened to a massive $68.6 million domestically on its first day, making it the biggest opening day of any film in 2025 so far.

Worldwide, the film is projected to earn $228 million through Sunday, placing it among the top global debuts for musicals ever, as reported by Deadline.

The Jon M. Chu-directed film, written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, continues the story from the first movie, following Elphaba and Glinda as they embrace their identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum all return for the sequel. Set in the Land of Oz, the story takes place before and during the events of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, expanding on the characters’ relationships and personal growth.

The final #WickedForGood trailer is here ✨ Watch now. pic.twitter.com/P9UPa4B1Rx

— Wicked: For Good (@wickedmovie) September 24, 2025

Universal Pictures, along with producer Marc Platt, first announced the adaptation in 2012. After years of development and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chu was brought on to direct, with Erivo and Grande cast in 2021. The decision to split the adaptation into two films was made to fully explore the story and its characters. Filming began in December 2022 in England, was briefly paused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, and wrapped in January 2024.

The film had its world premiere at the Suhai Music Hall in São Paulo on November 4, before its U.S. release on November 21. Internationally, the film is performing even stronger than expected. Through 78 global markets, the movie is now estimated to have earned $76 million, marking a 15% increase over the first film’s international debut.

Industry analysts say Wicked: For Good has set new records, becoming the biggest worldwide debut for a Broadway musical adaptation and ranking as the fourth-largest Hollywood opening of 2025.

Despite the IP’s relatively lower recognition overseas compared to domestic audiences, the film has managed to attract massive attention and praise globally.

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