The eagerly anticipated Wicked soared to a bumper opening weekend at the worldwide box office for Universal, notching up $164 million.
The movie recorded the biggest global opening for a Broadway adaptation, ahead of Les Misérables ($103 million), while it was also the fifth biggest opening weekend of all time at the global box office for a musical.
The $164m came from 62 territories, reported Screen Daily. Internationally, it is Universal’s biggest live action opening of the year in 46 markets and the biggest ever opening for a stage musical adaptation in 42 markets.
From international territories, the UK and Ireland led the way with $17.6 million – Universal’s biggest opening since the $26.4m of No Time To Die in October 2021.
Wicked also noted up a strong $6.7 million in Australia, with a 59% share of the top 10 titles and the second biggest opening of 2024 including previews. It was above key comparisons including Wonka, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Jungle Book and Mamma Mia 2.
South Korea brought in $4.7 million with a 47% market share, more than three times the opening of Barbie and the biggest non-sequel opening of 2024.
The US accounted for $114 million of the $164 million total.
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