The yellow brick road is packed with fans once again. Wicked: For Good stormed theaters this weekend to earn a massive estimated $151 million domestically. This figure crushes the opening numbers of the first chapter. It sends a clear message that audiences are still deeply enchanted by the world of Oz. The debut has officially kicked off the holiday movie season with a bang.
A Historic Weekend for Domestic Theaters
The sequel did not just perform well. It exceeded almost every expectation set by industry experts. The film secured the top spot for the holiday season with ease. It beat out Disney’s live action Lilo & Stitch which opened with a respectable $146 million. The competition was fierce, but the witches of Oz claimed the crown.
While it fell short of the record set earlier this year, the result is a triumph. A Minecraft Movie still holds the 2025 title with $162 million. However, leading the Thanksgiving slate is a massive achievement for Universal.
Analysts point to two main factors for this success. The family friendly nature of the story draws in parents and kids alike. The dedicated fanbase also showed up in force to see how the story ends. The high CinemaScore rating suggests that word of mouth is spreading fast. People are telling their friends to go see it immediately.
Wicked For Good movie poster display in theater
Global Audiences Embrace the Magic
The success is not limited to the United States. International markets added another layer of profit to the studio’s pockets. The film is on track to add about $76 million from overseas territories. This brings the global total to a staggering number in just a few days.
If this trend holds steady, the sequel could surpass the original film’s $700 million global total. The visual spectacle plays a huge role here. The colorful sets and costumes demand to be seen on the big screen.
Viewers around the world connect with the universal themes. Friendship and courage translate well in any language. The emotional weight of the finale is resonating with viewers from London to Tokyo.
The Battle for Box Office Rankings
Wicked: For Good is clearly the king of the hill right now. But other films are fighting for scraps or preparing for battle. Zootopia 2 launches later this week and poses a real threat to the musical’s momentum. It will be a clash of titans during the Thanksgiving break.
Here is how the other major releases fared this weekend:
- Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: The magic is fading. It dropped to 55 percent of its opening week earnings. It will likely finish under $10 million.
- The Running Man: This film is facing a sharp decline. Earnings are expected to fall by at least 65 percent to just $6 million.
- Predator: Badlands: The sci-fi action flick is holding steady. It projects a $6.2 million weekend and aims for a $72 million domestic total.
The data shows a clear preference for vibrant fantasy over gritty action thrillers right now. Families are voting with their wallets. They want escapism and songs rather than suspense and scares.
Smaller Films Fight for Screens
Not every movie is a blockbuster franchise. Brendan Fraser returns to the big screen in Rental Family. The drama is heading toward a quiet $3.2 million opening in semi wide release. It is a solid start for a smaller film.
This highlights a growing trend in Hollywood. Adult oriented Oscar hopefuls are finding it hard to break into the mainstream conversation. Audiences seem to save their cinema trips for big events.
Action fans had a small treat as well. Sisu: Road to Revenge expects about $2.6 million. This is close to the debut of the first movie. It hopes to find a niche audience during the busy holiday period. These smaller films provide variety, but they are living in the shadow of the blockbuster giants.
This weekend proves that big budget spectacles are still the main draw for theatergoers. The sequel to Wicked has set a high bar for the rest of the holiday season. It combined nostalgia with high stakes drama to win over the crowd. As Thanksgiving approaches, it will be interesting to see if it can hold off the competition from Zootopia. The box office is alive and well, driven by the power of a good story.
