Universal Pictures is gearing up for a major holiday success as Wicked: For Good — the second part of Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical — is projected to dominate the box office with a record-breaking $200 million-plus global opening.
A Magical Return to Oz
Set to release in North America on November 21, just ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, the musical fantasy reunites Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The film continues the untold story of the witches of Oz, following the events of the first Wicked, which became the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in film history last year with $750 million worldwide.
Industry analysts predict Wicked: For Good will open to $120 million domestically and surpass $200 million worldwide — a feat that would make it the biggest musical opening ever. Even Universal’s conservative target of $115 million in North America would mark a massive success for the studio.
Pre-Sales Break Records
The film’s promotional campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since October 8, Universal has rolled out a series of high-profile marketing events, including a full Dancing With the Stars episode dedicated to Wicked. The episode drew the show’s largest 18–24 audience since 2015 and generated 57 million TikTok views in just 24 hours.
According to Fandango, Wicked: For Good is now the top PG-rated preseller of all time and ranks among the top 10 highest first-day ticket sales in the platform’s history. It is also the biggest preseller of 2025 so far, signaling enormous audience anticipation.
Critical Praise and Audience Buzz
Early screenings have already sparked rave reviews. The film boasts a 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, slightly above the first installment’s 96%. Critics are calling it “a triumphant continuation” of the saga, praising both the expanded emotional depth and the dazzling musical performances.
The Story Continues
In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba, now labeled the Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile but remains determined to expose The Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum, for his deception. Meanwhile, Glinda has become the radiant face of “goodness” in Emerald City. Their fractured friendship is put to the test once again as they uncover a sinister plot that threatens the entire land of Oz.
The screenplay was penned by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, adapted from Holzman’s stage play and Gregory Maguire’s best-selling novel. The score features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz with orchestration by John Powell.
A Box Office Showdown
The film will face strong competition from Disney’s Zootopia 2, which opens the day before Thanksgiving and is projected to earn around $125 million in its five-day debut. However, Wicked: For Good is expected to draw in family audiences and musical fans alike, giving it a strong edge during the lucrative holiday corridor.
With its breathtaking visuals, star-studded cast, and powerful emotional core, Wicked: For Good is poised to be the event film of the season, bringing magic — and record-breaking numbers — back to the big screen.
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