Saturday Update, Refresh for latest…: Landing higher than projected pre-launch, Universal’s Wicked: For Good is in terrific shape as it is now estimated to open at $228M worldwide through Sunday.
We had $70M+ earmarked for 78 international box office markets (including previews) and are now hearing $76M is the estimate through tomorrow, which places the Jon M. Chu sequel 15% above last year’s first installment – nice to see given the IP does not have the same recognition overseas as it does domestically.
With the global estimate of $228M, Wicked: For Good becomes the biggest worldwide Broadway musical adaptation opener ever, the No. 4 Hollywood opener of 2025 and the 5th biggest global start for a musical of all time.
More detail to follow…
PREVIOUS, FRIDAY: Universal’s Wicked: For Good is already casting a spell at the international box office with $14.9M across the first two days of play. Jon M. Chu’s follow-up to last year’s $758.7M global grosser began rollout on Wednesday and Thursday in 59 markets. Today adds another 19 including the UK and Spain. China is expected later this year and Japan joins on March 6.
The first Wicked was the biggest non-sequel of 2024 globally and became the top stage musical adaptation of all time worldwide, taking the crown from Universal’s own Mamma Mia!.
Elphaba and Glinda, as Anthony has reported, are already also off to a great start domestically. On its first day out overseas, Wicked: For Good grossed $5.8M, driven by Australia, Korea and Germany. Thursday added $8M, to reach a cume of $14.9M, including double-bill previews in the UK & Ireland, and overall Thursday results in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Korea and the Philippines.
Those UK & Ireland double-bill previews drew $1.4M on Thursday, dominating at No. 1. Presales have been significant with Vue reporting earlier this week that its circuit was seeing more than double of last year’s movie and the biggest presale performance a week from release since 2021’s Spider Man: No Way Home.
In Australia, Wicked: For Good grossed an estimated $1.2M on opening Thursday, taking the running total to $2.3M including Wednesday sneaks. This is 30% above previews for Wicked at the same point and placed the film at No.1 for the day with an 81% share of the Top 10. This is the second biggest opening day of the year in the market behind Superman, the biggest non-holiday opening day so far in 2025, and the biggest opening day of all time for a stage musical adaptation.
Korea launched with $750K on Wednesday as the clear No.1 in the market, accounting for a 54% share of total box office. This is above Wicked, Superman and F1. It’s also Universal’s 3rd biggest opening day of the year after Jurassic World Rebirth and How to Train Your Dragon, and Uni’s best November start ever. Korea through Friday has grossed $1.7M (Friday not included in the overall total above) and is still at No. 1.
Mexico kicked off to $600K on Thursday, in line with the first film and at No.1 in the market. The running total, including Monday’s previews, is $900K through Thursday.
Germany opened to $700K on Wednesday, 79% above the first film’s opening Thursday result. Wicked: For Good ranked at No.1 in the market, taking a 35% share of the market for the day, and grossing almost the same amount as the rest of the Top 10 titles combined. It added $400K on Thursday, to bring the running total to $1.1M across the first two days.
Brazil, on a holiday Thursday, had $700K debut, almost 4x the opening Thursday of the first film, and claiming the biggest musical opening day of all time. The running total has reached $1.1M including Wednesday’s previews.
The Philippines is having a strong start, grossing $500K on Wednesday for the 2nd biggest studio opening day of the year, only behind Conjuring: Last Rites, the biggest opening day for a Universal film since 2018, the biggest ever opening day for a stage adaptation and the 4th biggest opening day for a Universal title of all time. The market also recorded the highest advance ticket sales of 2025 and the biggest ticket sales ever for any Universal release. The two-day total has now reached $800K.
Italy began rollout on Wednesday, grossing $400K at No.1 and outperforming Wicked‘s opening day result by +40%. This continued on Thursday, adding $200K.
In the Netherlands, Wicked: For Good grossed $400K in wide Wednesday previews. The title ranked No.1 for the day and followed with $200K on Thursday, taking the running total to $600K. Wicked: For Good holds a 45% share of the market, and has registered the second-biggest opening Thursday of the year (only behind Jurassic World Rebirth).
Following strong Tuesday previews, France opened at No. 1 with $290K on Wednesday. This is in line with the first film. The running total through Thursday is $500K.
Finally, for now, New Zealand had a $134K opening Thursday to lift the running total to $261K including Wednesday previews. Wicked: For Good is at No. 1 and scored the 3rd biggest opening day of the year, behind Superman and Minecraft, and the best opening day ever for an adaptation of a stage musical.
We will have more updates throughout the weekend.