Universal’s Wicked Surpasses ‘Mamma Mia!’ to Lead the Box Office Charts
Universal’s Wicked has officially surpassed Mamma Mia! to become the highest-grossing stage musical adaptation globally. As of December 29, 2024, Wicked has accumulated an impressive $634.4 million at the global box office. This includes $424.2 million in domestic earnings and $210.2 million internationally. The Jon M. Chu-directed film is setting new records, making it the top stage musical adaptation ever in 46 international markets.
The Growth of ‘Wicked’ at the Global Box Office
In the weekend of December 29, Wicked performed strongly, securing $13.7 million from 81 international markets. In just a few weeks, it has surpassed popular titles such as Mamma Mia 2, Maleficent, The Little Mermaid, and The Greatest Showman, achieving exceptional performance in many regions.
With its festive boost, international revenue has shown steady growth. Particularly, the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region experienced a 7% increase over the previous weekend. Countries such as the UK and Ireland have been pivotal to the film’s success. The UK, for instance, is Wicked‘s top-performing international market with $67 million, mirroring Wonka’s earnings at the same stage.
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Notable Market Performances
- Australia saw a notable 29% uptick during Wicked‘s sixth weekend, surpassing earnings of previous hits such as Aladdin and Jurassic World. It is now the fifth highest-grossing film of the year in the market, ahead of Dune: Part Two.
- In The Netherlands, Wicked received an impressive 32% increase in the fourth week of release.
Other leading international markets include:
- Korea: $14.2 million
- Germany: $11.8 million
- Mexico: $9.9 million
’Wicked’ Surpasses Industry Benchmarks
As of December 2024, Wicked has surpassed several films in total earnings, including The Greatest Showman and Despicable Me 4. It is also among the top three highest-grossing films of the year in multiple markets. Wicked is slated for release in Japan on March 7, 2025, which is expected to further boost its international earnings.
Comparison with Other Major Stage Musical Adaptations
Here’s a quick glance at how Wicked compares to other popular musical adaptations:
| Movie Title | Domestic Box Office | International Box Office | Worldwide Gross | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wicked (2024) | $424.2M | $210.2M | $634.4M | $150M |
| Mamma Mia! (2008) | $144.3M | $465.7M | $610.0M | $52M |
| Les Misérables (2012) | $148.8M | $293.5M | $442.3M | $61M |
| Chicago (2002) | $170.7M | $136.1M | $306.8M | $45M |
| Into the Woods (2014) | $128.0M | $84.9M | $212.9M | $50M |
| Hairspray (2007) | $118.9M | $84.7M | $203.6M | $27.8M |
| Dreamgirls (2006) | $103.4M | $52.1M | $155.4M | $70M |
| The Phantom of the Opera (2004) | $51.3M | $103.4M | $154.7M | $70M |
| Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber (2007) | $52.9M | $100.5M | $153.4M | $50M |
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The Performance of Other Musicals
Several notable musical adaptations have enjoyed success but fall behind Wicked in terms of overall global earnings. For example:
- Les Misérables (2012): $442.3 million
- Chicago (2002): $306.8 million
- Into the Woods (2014): $212.9 million
- Hairspray (2007): $203.6 million
- Dreamgirls (2006): $155.4 million
On the lower end, films like Cats (2019), The Prom (2020), and Dear Evan Hansen (2021) had more modest box office returns.
Conclusion: Wicked’s Unstoppable Rise
Wicked‘s remarkable success is a testament to the enduring popularity of stage musical adaptations. With its star-studded cast, including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and under the direction of Jon M. Chu, Wicked continues to break records globally. As it approaches its international release in Japan and continues to perform strongly in key markets, it is poised to keep its title as the highest-grossing musical adaptation for years to come.
*Don’t miss the next wave of musical adaptations—Wicked proves the box office appeal of beloved stage shows is here to stay.
