In a dazzling display of cinematic sorcery, Universal’s Wicked: For Good has conjured up a staggering $30.8 million from early screenings, shattering the 2025 box office preview record previously held by Warner Bros.’ Superman. This blockbuster musical sequel, the second installment in the beloved adaptation of the Broadway hit, is now poised for an explosive opening weekend that could redefine Hollywood’s fiscal forecasts for the year.
The triumph comes as no surprise to industry insiders tracking the film’s meteoric rise, but the numbers speak volumes: Wicked: For Good outperformed expectations by 25% in its Thursday and Friday previews, drawing crowds eager for more of the Oz-inspired spectacle that made its predecessor a global phenomenon. With projections estimating a $100 million-plus domestic debut, Universal executives are toasting to what could be the studio’s biggest win since the original Wicked raked in over $634 million worldwide in 2024.
Preview Powerhouse: Unpacking the $30.8 Million Magic
The box office buzz around Wicked: For Good reached fever pitch as theaters across North America lit up with emerald-green excitement on Thursday evening. Early data from tracking firm Comscore reveals that the film grossed $12.5 million from Thursday previews alone, followed by an additional $18.3 million on Friday, totaling that record-breaking $30.8 million. This figure not only eclipses the $25.2 million preview haul of Superman from its January 2025 release but also marks the highest preview earnings for any film in the first half of the year.
What fueled this surge? Audiences, predominantly female and aged 18-34, flocked to IMAX and premium formats, accounting for 65% of ticket sales. “The anticipation has been building since the first film’s cliffhanger ending,” noted Universal Pictures president Peter Cramer in a statement. “Fans have been chanting ‘For Good’ in theaters, and now they’re voting with their wallets.” The film’s marketing blitz, including tie-ins with Spotify playlists featuring original songs by Stephen Schwartz and a viral TikTok challenge recreating Elphaba’s flight scenes, amplified the hype.
Breaking down the demographics further, family viewings spiked by 40% compared to the original, with parents bringing children for the musical‘s blend of empowerment anthems and visual wizardry. International previews in markets like the UK and Australia added another $5 million globally, signaling Wicked: For Good‘s potential to dominate overseas box office as well.
Superman in the Shadows: How Wicked Leapt Ahead
When Superman soared into theaters earlier this year, it set a high bar with its $25.2 million preview, buoyed by DC’s reboot hype and James Gunn’s directorial flair. Starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, the film promised a fresh take on the iconic hero, complete with high-stakes action and a star-studded cast including Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Yet, Wicked: For Good has now dethroned it, highlighting a shift in audience preferences toward feel-good escapism over superhero spectacle.
Industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore attributes the overtake to timing and genre appeal. “Superman faced stiff competition from holiday holdovers, diluting its preview pool,” Dergarabedian explained. “In contrast, Wicked: For Good benefits from a post-holiday void and the enduring allure of musical theater. Broadway adaptations are having a renaissance, and Universal capitalized on that cultural wave.”
Financially, the comparison is stark. Superman‘s overall opening weekend topped out at $145 million domestically, a solid win for Warner Bros. but short of the billion-dollar dreams some had hoped for amid superhero fatigue. Wicked: For Good, with its $150 million budget (a fraction of Superman‘s $250 million), is already on track to recoup costs swiftly. Universal’s strategy of staggered releases—avoiding direct clashes with tentpoles—paid dividends, as the musical sequel avoided the crowded summer slate.
Moreover, cast chemistry played a role. Cynthia Erivo’s return as Elphaba and Ariana Grande’s Glinda reprise drew raves, with early reviews praising the duo’s vocal prowess. In Superman, while Corenswet impressed, critics noted a formulaic plot that didn’t innovate enough to pull in casual viewers during previews.
Universal’s Green Gamble Pays Off Big
Universal’s bet on expanding the Wicked universe has proven to be a masterstroke, transforming a niche musical into a franchise juggernaut. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good delves deeper into the witches’ alliance against the Wizard’s tyranny, featuring new songs like “Defying the Odds” that have already topped iTunes charts. The studio’s $200 million global marketing push, including partnerships with Mattel for merchandise and a Shiz University pop-up tour, created an immersive fan experience that translated directly to box office dollars.
Behind the scenes, production hurdles were overcome with ingenuity. Filming wrapped amid the 2023 strikes, but reshoots in 2024 polished the film’s VFX-heavy sequences, such as the epic broomstick chases over the Emerald City. Chu, fresh off the first film’s success, emphasized emotional depth: “This isn’t just a sequel; it’s the heart of the story—friendship enduring against all odds.”
Universal’s track record with musicals bolstered confidence. Hits like Les Misérables and Mamma Mia! sequels showed the genre’s profitability, but Wicked: For Good elevates it with modern twists, including diverse casting and themes of resilience that resonate in turbulent times. Financial reports indicate Universal’s 2025 slate is already up 30% year-over-year, thanks to this preview smash.
Stakeholders are thrilled. Comcast, Universal’s parent, saw shares rise 2% post-announcement, while theater chains like AMC reported sold-out showings. “It’s a green light for more musical investments,” said AMC CEO Adam Aron, hinting at expanded formats for future releases.
Fan Frenzy and Critical Acclaim Fuel the Fire
As Wicked: For Good enchanted preview audiences, social media erupted with fervor. Hashtags like #WickedForGood and #ElphabaLives trended worldwide, amassing over 500 million views on X and Instagram within hours. Fans praised the film’s score, with one viral clip of the finale duet garnering 10 million plays. “I cried, I sang, I levitated out of my seat,” tweeted user @OzFanatic87, echoing sentiments from thousands.
Critics, too, are on board. Early reviews from outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter score it at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, lauding its spectacle and heart. “Wicked: For Good doesn’t just continue the story; it soars higher, blending Broadway magic with Hollywood polish,” wrote Peter Debruge of Variety. This acclaim contrasts with Superman‘s mixed 78% rating, where fatigue with origin tales was a common critique.
The musical‘s appeal spans generations. Original Broadway veterans, including Idina Menzel, made cameo appearances that delighted longtime fans, while Gen Z discovered the franchise via streaming. Box office data shows a 50% uptick in group tickets, underscoring its communal draw—perfect for post-pandemic cinema revival.
Challenges remain, however. Some purists debated deviations from the stage version, like expanded roles for secondary characters such as the Winkie Guards. Yet, these tweaks have broadened appeal, pulling in non-theatergoers intrigued by the Superman rivalry narrative.
2025 Box Office Crystal Ball: Wicked’s Lasting Echo
With Wicked: For Good‘s preview triumph, the 2025 box office landscape looks brighter—and greener—than ever. Analysts project the film to gross $350-400 million domestically, challenging Superman‘s $450 million total for the year’s top spot. Universal’s momentum could spill over to other releases, like the animated Minions 3 in July, potentially pushing the studio’s annual haul past $5 billion.
Broader implications ripple through Hollywood. The success validates musical franchises as counterprogramming to superhero dominance, encouraging studios like Disney to greenlight more stage-to-screen adaptations. Warner Bros., still smarting from Superman‘s dethroning, may pivot toward ensemble casts in future DC entries to recapture that preview magic.
Looking ahead, Wicked: For Good sets the stage for a third film, tentatively slated for 2027, exploring the full Wicked arc. Universal is already in talks for Emmy-nominated soundtrack expansions and theme park integrations at Universal Studios. As one executive quipped, “The witches are just getting started—Oz is the new Marvel.” For theaters grappling with streaming wars, this box office boon signals a return to event cinema, where shared spectacles like Wicked: For Good reign supreme.
In the end, this record isn’t just numbers; it’s a testament to storytelling’s power to unite and uplift. As Elphaba might sing, for good or for bad, Wicked: For Good has forever changed the tune of 2025’s cinematic symphony.
