Wicked Dominates Global Box Office with $164.2 Million Opening

In a remarkable debut, Jon M. Chu‘s adaptation of the Broadway musical «Wicked» has soared to a $164.2 million opening at the global box office. This impressive performance is comprised of $114 million domestic earnings and $50.2 million internationally. The film’s release has been eagerly anticipated and is following close to the expected projections reported earlier.

Simultaneously, Paramount‘s «Gladiator II» has surpassed $221 million worldwide. The Ridley Scott-directed sequel has enjoyed two weekends of success overseas and recently debuted in North America with an initial $55.5 million. It has continued to draw significant audiences, contributing $165.5 million to its international earnings.

The figures for «Wicked» and «Gladiator II» overseas are not directly comparable since both films are being released in distinct markets. However, the performances of both releases are indicative of robust audience interest in major cinematic productions this weekend.

Uniquely, «Wicked» is proving to have one of the biggest opening weekends for a film based on a Broadway production, overtaking previous benchmarks like «Les Miserables.» It currently stands as the sixth-largest opening weekend globally in 2024 and ranks fourth among musicals worldwide, surpassing «The Little Mermaid.»

«Wicked» has been launched in 61 overseas markets, covering 65% of its intended global reach, with major territories such as France, China, Germany, and Japan still awaiting their turn. In markets where it has premiered, «Wicked» has drawn remarkable numbers, ahead of films like «Les Miserables» and «Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.»

The United Kingdom has emerged as the leading international market with an anticipated $15 million through Sunday. The UK and Ireland registered a significant $4.9 million on opening day, claiming the largest market share at 63%. According to Tim Richards, CEO of Vue, pre-sales tracked in line with those of the blockbuster «Barbie.»

Australia and Korea have also shown a strong performance, with Australia marking the third-largest opening day of 2024 and Korea accumulating $3.3 million by Saturday. In Mexico, «Wicked» achieved the largest ever opening day for a stage musical adaptation.

Beyond «Wicked,» Paramount’s «Gladiator II» remains strong globally. The film’s strategic early international release has contributed significantly to its $200 million plus global earnings, a figure expected to continue rising.

An in-depth report detailing the full international box office statistics is expected to follow shortly.