“Wicked” scores big at the box office in its first two weeks debuting on the big screen

“Wicked” scores big at the box office in its first two weeks debuting on the big screen

By: Kevin Vickery 

“Wicked” or, “Wicked Part 1” as it is titled on screen is breaking box office records as it makes its way into its third week in theaters nationwide. The movie entered its second weekend of release having already amassed more than $200 million worldwide.  

With $262 million domestically and another $97 million from overseas markets, Wicked has now grossed a combined total of $359 million worldwide. Produced on a reported budget of $150 million, the movie is directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West and pop-star Ariana Grande as Galinda who will later be Glinda, The Good.

The film is based off the 2003 Broadway musical, “Wicked” which premiered at the Gershwin Theater staring, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth. The original Broadway production won a total of three Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards, while its original cast album received a Grammy Award. The success of the Broadway production has spawned many productions worldwide and has broken box-office records around the world, surpassing sales figures previously only held by “The Phantom of the Opera” and, “The Lion King”.

The story line of the modern film and the Broadway show are traced back to a series of novels starting with, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West”  from 1995, written by Gregory Maguire with illustrations by Douglas Smith.

This prequel to the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, its sequels, and the 1939 film adaptation which we’ve all grown up watching, Wicked is a darker and more adult-themed revisionist exploration of the characters.

The book is presented as a biography of the Wicked Witch of the West, here named, “Elphaba” and follows her from birth through her social ostracism, school years, radicalization, and final days. Maguire shows the traditionally villainous character in a sympathetic light, using her journey to explore the problem of evil and the nature versus nurture debate, as well as themes of terrorism, propaganda, and existential purpose.

The film version of “Wicked” focuses on the first act of the play and is the first of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical.  The sequel, “Wicked Part Two” is scheduled for release in November 2025 and the plot will cover the events of the musical’s second act following Elphaba and Galinda’s friendship being put to the test as they embrace their new respective identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, and how the consequences of their actions will change all of Oz forever.

Not being a “Wizard of Oz” buff and not being a fan of musicals in general, I went to see the movie with an open mind. I did particularly enjoy the way the development of the characters gave hints into who they will eventually become in the original story line. Both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are extremely talented singers and gave great performances of the show’s hit songs like, “What Is This Feeling”, “Popular”, “I’m Not That Girl”, and “Defying Gravity”.

The production level was nothing short of incredible as clearly no expenses were spared in bringing the elements of the stage production to life on the silver screen.  My only complaint would be the film’s length. At a running time of two hours and forty minutes, plus previews and ads, be prepared to be in your seat for three hours, which is frankly longer that I want to sit anywhere if I can help it.

I spoke with Valerie Lamb of New Castle who has seen the stage version as well as the new film and got her thoughts on how it compared. She said, “Wicked was everything this Broadway lover wanted and more! The gorgeous and thoughtful costumes and sets! All the homage paid and nods to The Wizard of Oz! The richness of the of the songs and scope of the cinematography! And the performances! Give Cynthia and Ariana all the awards! Wicked was, in a word, Wonderful!”

You can still catch Wicked in theaters for the next week or two and after its theatrical run, Wicked will be available to stream on Peacock, NBC Universal’s streaming service.