The global box office for Wicked has surpassed $755 million as of May 12, setting a new record for Broadway musical film adaptations. Since its release on November 22, 2024, the film has outperformed Mamma Mia! to become the highest-grossing movie based on a Broadway musical.
The film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was directed by Jon M. Chu, known for his work on the In the Heights film. Wicked received widespread acclaim and multiple accolades, including ten Academy Award nominations in January 2025, two of which were for its stars, Erivo and Grande. At the Academy Awards ceremony on March 2, 2025, Wicked won two Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
Since its debut, Wicked has continued to soar, recently surpassing Mamma Mia!, which grossed $611.5 million globally since its 2008 release. Wicked now holds the record for the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation in film history.
In other notable achievements, Wicked joined the ranks of Broadway musical adaptations that have grossed over $500 million worldwide. Seven such films are among the top 1,000 highest-grossing films globally, with Mamma Mia! being one of the leading entries. Other successful films on this list include Les Misérables, Chicago, Grease, and Hairspray, each of which has garnered significant box office success and is a testament to the enduring popularity of Broadway musicals in cinema.
The upcoming sequel, Wicked: Forever (formerly Wicked: Part Two), is set for release on November 21, 2025. It will be interesting to see whether this film can replicate the tremendous success of its predecessor.
It’s worth noting that neither Wicked nor Mamma Mia! won the Tony Award for Best Musical during their original Broadway runs. Wicked lost out to Avenue Q in 2004, while Mamma Mia! was defeated by Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002. However, both films have become iconic, with Wicked becoming a cultural phenomenon and Mamma Mia! earning a beloved reputation for its catchy ABBA soundtrack.
The top seven Broadway musical adaptation films, according to Box Office Mojo, include:
Wicked – $755.4 million
Directed by Jon M. Chu, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
Released: November 22, 2024
Broadway debut: October 30, 2003
Mamma Mia! – $611.5 million
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan
Released: July 18, 2008
Broadway debut: October 18, 2001
Les Misérables – $442.8 million
Directed by Tom Hooper, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway
Released: December 25, 2012
Broadway debut: March 12, 1987
Grease – $396.3 million
Directed by Randal Kleiser, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Released: June 16, 1978
Broadway debut: February 14, 1972
Chicago – $306.8 million
Directed by Rob Marshall, starring Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones
Released: January 24, 2003
Broadway debut: June 3, 1975
Into the Woods – $212.9 million
Directed by Rob Marshall, starring Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt
Released: December 25, 2014
Broadway debut: November 5, 1987
Hairspray – $203.6 million
Directed by Adam Shankman, starring John Travolta and Nikki Blonsky
Released: July 20, 2007
Broadway debut: August 15, 2002
As musical films continue to dominate the global box office, Wicked sets a new benchmark for Broadway adaptations in cinema. Fans eagerly await Wicked: Forever to see if it can match the success of its predecessor.
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