Wicked has dethroned Mamma Mia! as the highest-grossing Broadway musical adaptation of all time, conjuring up an impressive $634 million in worldwide ticket sales after just six weeks in theatres, per upi.com. The magical milestone marks a new era in the translation of stage musicals to the silver screen, proving that audiences are still enchanted by the allure of musical theatre.
The Universal Pictures production, starring powerhouse performers Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and pop sensation Ariana Grande as Glinda, has bewitched audiences globally, surpassing the previous record of $611 million set by Mamma Mia! in 2008. This achievement becomes even more remarkable considering Wicked reached this threshold in less than two months, while Mamma Mia! accumulated its total over its entire theatrical run.
The success of Wicked adds another jewel to Universal Pictures’ crown, as the studio now holds the records for both the first and second highest-grossing Broadway adaptations.
Industry analysts attribute the film’s success to its stellar casting, innovative visual effects, and the enduring appeal of the original musical’s story about the untold friendship between the witches of Oz.
Wicked’s remarkable performance not only sets a new benchmark for Broadway adaptations but also signals a robust future for musical theatre in cinema, suggesting that audiences are more than ready to defy gravity – and box office expectations – for the right production.
