Wicked breaks box office records with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo leading the charge, redefining musicals in Hollywood.

When Wicked hit the big screen, it wasn’t just another adaptation—it was a game-changer. Fans flocked to theaters, and it didn’t take long for the box office to reflect the magic. The buzz was real—and with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the center of it all—the film shattered records and made waves in more ways than one.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked | Credits: Universal Pictures

But the big question wasn’t just how much it made; it was what this milestone really meant for the future of musicals on film.

Wicked Breaks Box Office Milestones: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Lead the Way

Ariana Grande in Wicked | Credits: Universal Pictures

“This is going to blow everything out of the water!” Those words from a fan on X captured the excitement surrounding Wicked‘s 2024 film adaptation. The movie didn’t just meet expectations—it smashed them.

This is going to blow everything out of the water!! LFG WICKED! 💫 pic.twitter.com/tp2x2Z2nsM

— CHRIS ｜ CRJB 🏴 (@crjb_) November 22, 2024

The movie earned an excellent $19.2M from previews at the domestic box office—setting a new record for musical adaptations. To put it in perspective, it outshined The Avengers ($18.7M) and nearly matched Top Gun: Maverick ($19.3M).

‘WICKED’ earned a massive $19.2M from previews at the domestic box office.

• The highest EVER for a musical adaptation

• In comparison, ‘The Avengers’ ($18.7M) and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ ($19.3M)

Read our review: https://t.co/YeYjbCpwpN pic.twitter.com/5LpGZGGgNV

— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) November 22, 2024

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were undeniably the stars, elevating their iconic roles of Glinda and Elphaba. Their performances, paired with stunning visuals and orchestral music, made for a mesmerizing experience. But the movie’s deeper themes also sparked debate.

Ahead of its release, Erivo’s Elphaba faced on-screen racism that echoed real-world issues, leaving audiences uneasy. The tension spilled over to the UK media’s apparent sidelining of Erivo, with outlets allegedly focusing heavily on Grande’s red carpet appearances while minimizing Erivo’s contributions. Despite all this, the film did incredibly well.

Director Jon M. Chu made sure the magic of Oz came alive with grand CGI effects, beautifully blending with practical sets. As expected, the film delved deeper into Elphaba and Glinda’s personalities. Grande’s Glinda oozed pop-star charisma, while Erivo’s Elphaba brought a raw emotional depth, especially in her strained relationship with her sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode).

Supporting characters like Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) also brought fresh nuances, adding to the complex world of Oz. Plus, the orchestral renditions of songs like Defying Gravity and Popular gave new life to the beloved numbers.

Wicked Shatters Records, Fans Celebrate The Musical’s Dominance

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked | Credits: Universal Pictures

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are taking down racism with Wicked’s latest box office triumph, and fans are loving every minute of it. The musical’s soared past superheroes and fighter pilots, proving that a spellbinding story can indeed steal the limelight. Wicked smashed expectations, breaking records and sending a powerful message to Hollywood: musicals are here to stay.

You did the Original well and made us proud. pic.twitter.com/iIWXpRef2O

— wolfboy (@wlfby) November 22, 2024

Wicked just sang its way past superheroes and fighter pilots, breaking records and showing that musicals can dominate the box office too. A spellbinding start..

— APEFLIX (@ApeflixOfficial) November 22, 2024

That’s amazing pic.twitter.com/aei3c6DxPQ

— jais🖤 (@madhujaiswal858) November 22, 2024

Well, something is something

— Bolt-Zon (@Bolt_Zon) November 22, 2024

This is a massive W

— Cole  🐻 Young (@ColeYoung67) November 22, 2024

With Grande and Erivo leading the charge, this magical tale isn’t just rewriting history—it’s casting a spell on audiences worldwide. A dazzling start for a legendary story!

Wicked was theatrically released on November 22, 2024.