In a dazzling display of emerald-hued triumph, Universal’s highly anticipated musical sequel Wicked: For Good has just demolished box office preview records for 2025, pulling in an astonishing $30.8 million before its official curtain call this weekend. This blockbuster preview smash not only eclipses the previous record-holder, Warner Bros.’ Superman, but also signals a roaring comeback for the musical genre amid Hollywood’s evolving landscape.
Preview Night Magic: $30.8 Million and Counting
The fervor surrounding Wicked: For Good ignited like a spell from Oz itself during Thursday previews, where theaters across North America buzzed with fans donning green attire and belting out show tunes. According to preliminary data from box office tracking firm Comscore, the film amassed $30.8 million from these early screenings, a figure that represents a 25% leap over Superman‘s $24.6 million preview earnings from its December 2024 release. This isn’t just a win for Universal; it’s a testament to the enduring allure of director Jon M. Chu’s vision, blending spectacle with heartfelt storytelling that has fans lining up hours before doors open.
Industry insiders were quick to hail the achievement. ‘We’ve seen strong previews before, but Wicked: For Good feels like a cultural earthquake,’ said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore. ‘The musical’s blend of nostalgia from the original Broadway hit and fresh narrative twists has created an insatiable appetite.’ The preview haul was driven by a massive turnout in key markets like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, where IMAX and premium format screenings sold out rapidly. Early reports indicate that over 70% of preview tickets were purchased in advance, underscoring the film’s pre-release hype fueled by viral social media campaigns and star-studded premieres.
Delving deeper into the numbers, the $30.8 million figure breaks down to an average of $15,200 per screen across 2,028 theaters participating in previews. This per-screen average outpaces even the most explosive holiday releases, highlighting the film’s broad appeal. Families, theater enthusiasts, and casual moviegoers alike contributed to the surge, with ticket sales spiking 40% higher than Universal’s projections. For context, this preview total rivals entire opening weekends for mid-tier blockbusters, positioning Wicked: For Good as a frontrunner in the 2025 box office race from day one.
Toppling Superman: How Wicked Redefines Superhero Shadows
When Superman soared into theaters last winter, it set a high bar for 2025 previews with its $24.6 million intake, buoyed by DC’s reboot hype and James Gunn’s directorial flair. Yet Wicked: For Good has swooped in to claim the crown, surpassing that mark by nearly $6.2 million in a feat that underscores the shifting tides in audience preferences. While Superman leaned on caped crusader lore and visual effects wizardry, Universal’s musical sequel captivated with emotional depth and toe-tapping numbers, proving that songs can outshine superpowers at the ticket counter.
The comparison isn’t just numerical; it’s narrative. Superman‘s preview success was tied to its role as a tentpole for Warner Bros.’ cinematic universe, drawing comic book die-hards and families seeking holiday escapism. In contrast, Wicked: For Good builds on the first film’s $114 million domestic opening in 2024, which itself was a musical phenomenon grossing over $634 million worldwide. This sequel dives deeper into Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and redemption that resonate in today’s divided world. ‘Superman flew high on spectacle, but Wicked enchants with heart,’ noted box office expert Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations. ‘It’s a reminder that musicals aren’t just singing—they’re storytelling powerhouses.’
Further dissecting the rivalry, Wicked: For Good‘s edge comes from its timing and marketing synergy. Released just months after the first installment’s awards buzz—including Cynthia Erivo’s Oscar nod for Best Actress—the sequel benefits from sustained fan momentum. Superman, while a solid performer with a $450 million global total, faced stiffer competition from streaming giants and superhero fatigue. Universal’s strategy of tying previews to Broadway revivals and Ariana Grande’s promotional tour amplified the musical’s reach, resulting in a 15% higher social media engagement rate compared to Superman‘s campaign, per Nielsen data.
Historically, such preview battles highlight genre evolution. Musicals like La La Land (2016) and In the Heights (2021) have occasionally challenged action epics, but none matched this scale until now. With Wicked: For Good leading the pack, it begs the question: Is the box office tipping toward more feel-good fantasies over gritty heroics? Early indicators suggest yes, as the film’s preview demo skewed younger (under 35) and more diverse than Superman‘s audience.
Weekend Forecasts: $150 Million to $180 Million Opening Bonanza
As the weekend approaches, analysts are buzzing with projections that could cement Wicked: For Good as 2025’s biggest debut. Box office pundits from Deadline and Variety forecast an opening weekend haul between $150 million and $180 million domestically, a staggering leap that would dwarf the first Wicked‘s performance and rival summer tentpoles like Avatar: The Way of Water. This optimism stems from the preview juggernaut, combined with sold-out Friday showtimes and a wide release on 4,200 screens, including exclusive engagements in Dolby Cinema and 4DX formats.
‘The numbers don’t lie—Wicked: For Good is poised for a record-shattering bow,’ enthused Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com. ‘With minimal counterprogramming and holiday-adjacent buzz, we’re looking at a potential $170 million-plus if word-of-mouth sings as sweetly as the soundtrack.’ The forecast factors in a 60-70% jump from previews to full weekend, a multiplier boosted by the film’s A+ CinemaScore potential from the original. International markets are equally bullish, with early estimates pegging a $100 million-plus global opening, driven by strong pre-sales in the UK, Australia, and South Korea where musicals thrive.
Breaking it down, Friday is expected to contribute $60-70 million alone, fueled by date-night crowds and Glinda cosplay events at major chains like AMC and Regal. Saturday’s family matinees could add another $50-60 million, while Sunday holds steady at $40-50 million thanks to repeat viewings. These projections account for inflation-adjusted comparisons: adjusted for today’s ticket prices, Wicked: For Good could eclipse The Greatest Showman‘s $9 million opening in 2017 by a factor of 15. Universal’s distribution team, led by execs like Jim Orr, has orchestrated a rollout emphasizing accessibility, with discounted tickets for groups and tie-ins to Spotify playlists featuring the film’s score by Stephen Schwartz.
Potential hurdles? Weather in the Midwest and competition from indie holdovers like The Holdovers 2 are minor blips. Overall, the $150-180 million range positions Universal for a fiscal windfall, potentially recouping the $200 million production budget (plus $150 million in marketing) in weeks. For context, this would mark the highest opening for a musical since Frozen II‘s $130 million in 2019, underscoring the genre’s box office renaissance.
Unveiling the Spell: Cast, Crew, and Cultural Impact
At the heart of Wicked: For Good‘s triumph lies a powerhouse ensemble and a narrative that expands the Oz universe with poignant depth. Cynthia Erivo reprises her role as the green-skinned witch Elphaba, delivering a tour-de-force performance that blends powerhouse vocals with raw vulnerability. Ariana Grande returns as the bubbly Glinda, her comic timing and emotional range earning raves from early screenings. Joining them is Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, whose charming rogue adds romantic tension, and Marissa Bode as a reimagined Nessarose, bringing fresh layers to sisterly dynamics.
Director Jon M. Chu, fresh off the first film’s success, infuses the sequel with groundbreaking visuals—think sweeping aerial sequences over the Emerald City crafted with practical sets and cutting-edge CGI. The score, an extension of the Broadway original, features new songs like ‘For Good,’ a ballad that’s already topping iTunes charts. ‘This film isn’t just a sequel; it’s a celebration of resilience and chosen family,’ Chu told Entertainment Weekly in a recent interview. ‘We wanted audiences to leave feeling uplifted, ready to defy gravity in their own lives.’
Culturally, Wicked: For Good taps into timely themes. In an era of social media echo chambers, Elphaba’s arc as an outsider embracing her power mirrors real-world struggles for authenticity. The film’s diversity— with a cast reflecting global audiences—has sparked conversations on representation, earning endorsements from GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign. Fan reactions on platforms like TikTok and Reddit are electric, with #WickedForGood trending worldwide and user-generated content amassing 500 million views. This organic buzz, coupled with Universal’s cross-promotions via partnerships with Mattel for merchandise and Starbucks for themed drinks, has woven the musical into pop culture fabric.
Behind the scenes, production hurdles were overcome with ingenuity. Filming during the 2023 strikes delayed principal photography, but post-production polished the 2-hour-45-minute runtime into a seamless spectacle. Budget details reveal $80 million allocated to music and choreography, ensuring every dance number pops. Critics’ early peeks, embargoed until Friday, hint at Oscar contention for Erivo and the score, potentially extending the franchise’s awards pedigree.
Hollywood’s Musical Momentum: What Lies Beyond Oz
As Wicked: For Good hurtles toward its milestone weekend, the ripples extend far beyond the box office. This preview record could ignite a broader revival for musicals, challenging studios to invest in song-driven stories amid superhero saturation. Universal, already riding high from Mamma Mia! sequels and Les Misérables adaptations, may greenlight more genre entries, signaling a shift from franchise fatigue to feel-good fare.
Looking ahead, the film’s success bodes well for 2025’s slate. With Wicked: For Good potentially crossing $500 million globally by month’s end, it paves the way for competitors like Moana 2 and Mean Girls: The Musical. Analysts predict a 20% uptick in musical releases over the next two years, as streamers like Netflix eye theatrical hybrids. For exhibitors, the windfall means packed houses and premium upsells, revitalizing post-pandemic recovery.
Fans and filmmakers alike are watching closely. ‘If Wicked sustains this magic, it could redefine how we tell stories on screen,’ mused Bock. Universal’s next steps include international rollouts starting November 20 and home video plans for 2026. As Elphaba might say, the journey to the box office top is just beginning— and it’s looking unlimited.
