‘Good’ Thursday Night Earns Over $20M

Universal’s Wicked: For Good kicked off its ticket sales on Thursday night, earning an estimated $20 million to $22 million. This figure includes additional earnings from Amazon sneak previews and premium fan shows on Wednesday, suggesting a even higher total. The official numbers will be confirmed later, but industry estimates provide a solid early snapshot.

Preview Earnings and Comparisons

The movie’s preview screenings began at 2 PM, marking a significant moment for its box office debut. For context, the highest Thursday preview earnings of the year so far belong to Disney/Marvel Studios’Fantastic Four: First Steps, which generated $24.4 million under similar circumstances. By comparison, the first installment of Wicked grossed $19.2 million from previews a year ago, with earnings split as follows:

• $11 million from Thursday showings at 2 PM
• $2.5 million from Monday previews
• $5.7 million from Wednesday fan screenings

These previews constituted 42% of Wicked’s opening Friday revenue, which totaled $46.2 million. The initial film resulted in a remarkable $112.5 million opening weekend, setting a record for a movie adapted from a Broadway musical.

Weekend Projections for Wicked: For Good

Looking ahead, projections for Wicked: For Good this weekend are optimistic, with estimates ranging from $125 million to $150 million. Some speculate upwards of $175 million+, but historical context suggests a potential for a front-loaded performance similar to its predecessor. The previous film notably attracted a 72% female audience, with 57% of viewers aged 18 to 34, according to Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak data.

Audience reception has been strong, with a Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score of 97% for Wicked: For Good, surpassing last year’s score of 95%. This positive feedback indicates that the sequel could maintain a similar level of success in terms of box office revenue.

Global Earnings Outlook

Historically, Wicked films perform well domestically. In the previous film’s case, approximately 63% of its $758.4 million worldwide gross originated from the U.S. and Canada. For the sequel, the initial worldwide earnings are projected to exceed $200 million+.

Overall, Wicked: For Good is on track to break further opening records, establishing itself as a formidable contender in the box office landscape.