Wicked: Part I starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero had a gravity-defying box office performance on its opening weekend. According to Box Office Mojo, the 2024 film directed by Jon M. Chu grossed $164 million globally and $114 million domestically until Sunday, November 24.
These numbers are historic in many meaningful ways, and it's even fiercer to think that such an LGBTQ-inclusive cast featuring Erivo and Bailey alongside Bowen Yang (as Pfannee) and Marissa Bode (as Nessarose) can break so many box office records.
Scroll through to see all the notable records broken by Wicked: Part I, which is now playing in theaters.
Cynthia Erivo during 'The Wizard and I' musical number in Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
Debuting with a domestic box office gross of $114 million, Wicked: Part I is now in fourth place behind musical films such as 2019's live-action The Lion King ($191 million), 2017's live-action Beauty and the Beast ($174 million), and 2019's Frozen II ($130 million), as reported by Deadline.
For context, this first Wicked movie has surpassed the very recent 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, which had an opening weekend gross of $95 million (via Variety).
Ariana Grande during 'No One Mourns the Wicked' musical number in 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
When it comes to global box office gross for a musical film during its opening weekend, Wicked: Part I now ranks in fifth place.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 2024 film only trails behind 2019's The Lion King ($446 million), 2017's Beauty and the Beast ($358 million), 2019's Frozen II ($358 million) and 2019's Aladdin ($213 million).
An invitation from the Wizard arrives at Shiz University in 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
As shown on Box Office Mojo, Wicked just had the third biggest opening weekend of any film released in 2024 at the domestic box office. The first two spots are occupied by Deadpool & Wolverine ($211 million) and Inside Out 2 ($152 million).
Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande in 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
During an era dominated by sequels and installments for just about any Hollywood release, Wicked: Part I emerges as the highest-grossing non-sequel movie of 2024 in the entire world.
With a global box office debut of $164 million, Wicked: Part I has succeeded other non-sequels released in 2024 such as Yolo, a Chinese film that grossed $112 million in its opening weekend, and It Ends With Us, which made $80 million in its global debut (via Deadline).
(L-R) Ethan Slater, Ariana Grande, Marissa Bode, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey in 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
Wicked: Part I and its $114 million domestic debut have also entered the list of top 10 highest-grossing films released during the month of November (via Box Office Mojo).
Ranking at no. 10 on the list, Wicked's debut fell behind a top 5 consisting of 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ($181 million), 2013's The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ($158 million), 2009's The Twilight Saga: New Moon ($142 million), 2012's The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 ($292 million), 2011's The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 ($281 million).
The list continues with 2019's Frozen II ($130 million), 2010's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ($125 million), 2017's Thor: Ragnarok ($122 million), and 2014's The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 ($121 million).
(L-R) Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the 'Wicked' movie poster.
Universal PicturesWith an opening day box office gross of $46 million, Wicked: Part I made more money than any other film based on a Broadway musical in its premiere day — pulling ahead of both 2023's The Color Purple ($18 million) and 2012's Les Misérables ($18 million), as confirmed by Deadline.
(L-R) Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in a 'Wicked' movie poster.
Wicked: Part I is now the highest-grossing film based on a Broadway musical during its opening weekend — having made more money at the global box office than 2012's Les Misérables ($103 million), as reported by Forbes.
Cynthia Erivo in 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
Wicked: Part I had the biggest opening weekend of any film starring Cynthia Erivo, our 2024 Out100 Icon of the Year.
Both the domestic and global box office debuts of Wicked Part: I have eclipsed Erivo's past films. Examples include 2018's Widows ($12 million) and 2019's Harriet ($11 million), as verified on Box Office Mojo.
Ariana Grande in 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
The same can be said about Ariana Grande. In fact, no other film starring a pop star has ever grossed more in its opening weekend than Wicked: Part I.
Deadline reports that the $114 domestic gross debut of Wicked: Part I (starring Ariana Grande) has surpassed 2018's A Star Is Born starring Lady Gaga ($42 million), 2022's Don't Worry Darling starring Harry Styles ($19 million), 2002's Crossroads starring Britney Spears ($14 million), 2019's Cats starring Taylor Swift (6 million), and 1985's Desperately Seeking Susan starring Madonna ($1 million).
Jon M. Chu behind the scenes on the set for 'Wicked.'
Universal Pictures
Even director Jon M. Chu is experiencing his highest-grossing opening weekend in history with Wicked: Part 1.
The film's domestic andworldwide box office gross have eclipsed 2013's G.I. Joe: Retaliation, directed by Chu, which had a domestic debut of $40 million and a global opening weekend of $132 million per data from Box Office Mojo.
