Wicked breaks box office records with $114 million debut

On November 27, 2024, the long-awaited movie adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked premiered in theaters, marking an exciting moment for fans of the original story. The film has been eagerly anticipated, especially because it features Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. As audiences flocked to theaters, the movie broke records by earning an impressive $114 million during its opening weekend in the United States, making it the highest-grossing opening for a musical adaptation ever. Furthermore, the film also garnered an additional $50.2 million internationally, bringing the global total to approximately $164.2 million. Following the premiere, the popularity of the film sparked a trend among fans, leading them to purchase items that resemble Elphaba's costume, particularly her 'tacky' round glasses. Priced at just $26 on the retail website Zeelool, these glasses became a sought-after accessory, stirring up discussions on social media. While some users criticized the glasses as being cheap and tacky, many fans defended their aesthetic charm, saying they fit well with the character's design and the movie's theme. The strong box office performance and the subsequent merchandise popularity illustrate the film's success in capturing audience interest.