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Wicked is off to a magical start, defying all expectations and already setting records just one day after hitting theaters. Leading up to the release of this musical and Gladiator II, there was talk about the potential for a major showdown, dubbed “Barbenheimer 2.0”—a clash between two movie giants. But it didn’t take long for one film to establish its dominance, and Wicked is clearly the lion in this battle. The preview night numbers say it all: Wicked pulled in a jaw-dropping $19.2 million, while Gladiator II earned a more modest $6 million.
Those numbers are impressive by any standard. In fact, Wicked‘s preview earnings come very close to surpassing the $19.3 million preview haul from Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 and are comfortably ahead of the $18.7 million earned by The Avengers back in 2012. To put it simply: Wicked is now the fastest-money-making musical ever, which is a huge deal in Hollywood, especially considering that musicals haven’t had the best track record recently. Films like Cats, Mean Girls, and West Side Story have all struggled to perform well at the box office, making Wicked‘s success even more remarkable.
But it’s not just about the money—it’s about the impact. With stars like Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Wicked could be the film that finally changes Hollywood’s perception of movie musicals. Fans are already buzzing with excitement, with some even predicting that Wicked could cross the $1 billion mark before its run is over. If these early numbers are anything to go by, they might be right.
There’s also talk about Wicked potentially making waves come awards season. If it can continue to perform well both commercially and critically, it could end up being a major contender, possibly even earning some Oscar nominations. So far, the buzz has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans on social media declaring the film a massive success, calling it a “huge win” for the genre.
Of course, Wicked still has some big shoes to fill when it comes to preview numbers. Marvel movies like Doctor Strange 2, Thor 4, and all but the first Avengers film earned more during their previews. However, the momentum behind Wicked is undeniable, and with these early numbers, it’s certainly set to keep soaring—potentially all the way to a billion dollars.
So, for those wondering if Wicked could make a huge splash in theaters: it’s already well on its way. If the momentum continues, this could be a big win for the genre and for fans who’ve been waiting years to see the musical adaptation come to life on the big screen. As the old saying goes: fans, assemble! It’s time to make Wicked a weekend outing.
