‘Wicked’ Defies Gravity at the Box Office With Record-Breaking $15.8 Million Monday

The highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of Wicked—the beloved Broadway musical and imaginative companion to The Wizard of Oz—continues to dominate the theatrical landscape, soaring far beyond studio expectations as it cements itself as one of the biggest musical films in box-office history. After an already historic opening weekend, the blockbuster added an astonishing $15.8 million on Monday, marking a new all-time November record and showcasing the film’s extraordinary staying power.

Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the misunderstood girl fated to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, the long-awaited adaptation is doing what many believed nearly impossible in the current theatrical climate: drawing massive weekday crowds and generating the kind of cultural momentum typically reserved for superhero franchises and holiday tentpoles.

The film’s $15.8 million Monday not only surpassed expectations—it rewrote them. The figure lands as the biggest Monday ever in the month of November, unseating several major blockbusters. Disney’s Frozen II previously held the top spot with $12.7 million in 2019; before that, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire posted $12.3 million in 2013. Other Monday heavy-hitters now trailing behind include Skyfall ($11.3 million in 2012) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ($11.1 million in 2022).

Combined with its massive $112.5 million three-day opening, Wicked has now reached an eye-popping $128.1 million in just four days, solidifying its position as the highest-opening Broadway musical adaptation in history. Industry analysts note that while strong opening weekends are increasingly rare for non-franchise films, strong Mondays are rarer still—making Wicked’s performance nothing short of remarkable.

A Story Reimagined, and a Cast That Delivers

Beyond its financial success, Wicked is earning widespread acclaim for its performances, artistry, and commitment to the spirit of the original Broadway sensation. The film revisits the untold backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, exploring how two young women from opposite worlds—and opposite personalities—become the iconic figures immortalized in L. Frank Baum’s classic tale and its cinematic adaptations.

The story centers on Elphaba, the green-skinned girl whose powerful gifts and misunderstood intentions set her on a path toward infamy. In contrast, Glinda emerges as the golden, charismatic prodigy whose charm ultimately obscures her own insecurities and ambitions. Together, their intertwined journeys form the emotional core of Wicked, blending humor, heartbreak, and musical spectacle.

Critics across the country have singled out Cynthia Erivo’s commanding performance as Elphaba—a role requiring both emotional nuance and extraordinary vocal range. Her rendition of “Defying Gravity,” one of the most iconic songs in contemporary musical theater, is already being hailed as one of the film’s signature triumphs. Grande’s portrayal of Glinda has also drawn praise, particularly for her comedic timing and unexpectedly tender dramatic moments.

Collider critic Jeff Ewing noted that Erivo’s portrayal “anchors the film with a sense of humanity and depth that elevates every scene she inhabits,” adding that the film’s visual scale and world-building “bring Oz to life in ways both familiar and entirely new.”

A Rare Theatrical Event in a Shifting Industry

Perhaps most notable is how Wicked is performing in the broader context of the modern box-office environment. In an era where mid-budget films struggle to gain traction and only a few major franchises consistently break through, Wicked’s explosive success has become an unexpected industry bright spot.

Its A CinemaScore—a coveted indication of excellent audience reception—combined with glowing early reviews has created a wave of word-of-mouth enthusiasm that few recent titles have achieved. Theater owners report repeat viewings, group outings, and long lines reminiscent of the early 2010s era of event musicals.

The film also appears to be drawing a wide demographic appeal: Broadway fans eager to see the long-awaited adaptation; families seeking a colorful, emotional holiday escape; and younger audiences attracted by Grande’s star power and social-media reach.

Industry insiders now predict that Wicked may continue its gravitational-defying streak into the coming weeks, potentially reaching numbers typically associated with major fantasy or superhero franchises. Some analysts have even suggested that if momentum continues, Wicked could challenge the all-time record for a movie musical.

A Promising Future for the Land of Oz

With Part Two of Wicked already slated for release, Universal Pictures may have a full-fledged blockbuster franchise on its hands. For now, the studio is enjoying a rare double triumph: critical acclaim and commercial dominance.

As the film continues its extraordinary run, one thing is clear—Wicked hasn’t just landed; it has soared. And like Elphaba herself, it shows no signs of coming down anytime soon.