Oof! Wicked: For Good is Doing Much Worse Than Wicked at the Box Office. What Happened?
Wicked: For Good box office totals have dipped below expectations set by the original Wicked movie, reaching $467 million globally after three weeks against the first film’s $758 million worldwide haul. Jon M. Chu directs this sequel, with Cynthia Erivo reprising Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, hitting screens on November 21, 2025. We’ll break down the earnings data, pinpoint causes for the decline, outline the storyline and reviews, and assess prospects for a third entry in the series.
Here’s the TL;DR...
Impressive debut, rapid fade: Wicked: For Good scored $147 million domestically on opening weekend but dropped sharply soon after.
Trailing the predecessor: Its $467 million global take pales next to the original’s $758 million.
Causes behind the slump: Rival releases, uneven buzz, and early audience saturation factored in.
Storyline closes the loop: Elphaba and Glinda navigate Oz’s conflicts, cementing their legacies.
Critic and fan feedback: 71% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences rate it at 96%.
Third film possibilities: Early talks swirl around expansions, potentially tapping into sequel novels like Son of a Witch.
How Has Wicked: For Good Fared at the Box Office Over Its Initial Run?
The movie burst out with $147 million in North America during its first weekend, outpacing the 2024 Wicked‘s $112 million start. That rush stemmed from loyal fans eager for the musical’s second half on the big screen.
Come the third weekend, it added only $17.3 million domestically, lifting the U.S. sum to about $226 million then. Overseas, it pulled in $241 million more, totaling $467 million worldwide by early December 2025.
Daily earnings, such as $2.3 million on a recent Friday, indicate lingering interest but not enough to rival the original’s stamina.
In What Ways Does Wicked: For Good‘s Box Office Compare to the First Wicked?
Last year’s Wicked dominated, amassing $758 million globally and maintaining theater runs well into the new year. It hit $455 million worldwide by its third weekend, a benchmark the sequel met but without the same buzz.
The follow-up has crossed $300 million in the U.S., yet projections hint at a ceiling under $600 million overall. A 74.7% drop in the third frame stands out as one of the steepest post-holiday plunges ever.
Experts note the record-breaking opener for musical follow-ups, but the swift fade underscores a gap in long-term draw.
What Elements Have Led to Wicked: For Good‘s Softer Box Office Results?
Holiday competition stung, as family draws like Zootopia 2 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 competed for viewers during peak times. This timing led to the film’s record-worst drop after Thanksgiving.
The audience skewed heavily toward opening crowds, with core fans showing up fast but not returning or spreading the word as vigorously. Reviews that landed mixed didn’t spark the same viral momentum as before.
Two-part adaptations carry risks, where the first film’s novelty wears off, leaving the conclusion to fight for attention on its own.
What’s the Core Story in Wicked: For Good, and How Does It Link Back to the Original?
Building on the first movie, this installment covers the musical’s second act, where Elphaba claims her Wicked Witch title and Glinda steps up as the Good Witch. A growing threat in Oz forces the friends to reconnect amid unrest.
Elphaba releases the Wizard’s monkeys and deals with treachery, weaving in nods to The Wizard of Oz classics. Running over two hours, it features key songs like “For Good” to cap the emotional journey.
The narrative ties up loose ends from part one, delivering closure on themes of identity and alliance.
How Have Reviews Shaped the Reception of Wicked: For Good?
Critics averaged 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, lower than the original’s 88% and 73. Praise often went to the darker tone and leads’ work.
Viewers rated it 96–97% on Rotten Tomatoes, showing stronger support. Some critiques hit pacing, but visuals and heartfelt scenes frequently tipped the scales positively.
It positions as a solid finale, though not the breakout hit of its predecessor.
How Did the Cast and Behind-the-Scenes Efforts Influence Wicked: For Good?
Erivo and Grande drive the film, their dynamic fueling the story’s heart—Erivo’s fierce Elphaba pairs with Grande’s nuanced Glinda. Roles like Jonathan Bailey‘s Fiyero and Michelle Yeoh‘s Madame Morrible enrich the ensemble.
Chu’s vision ramps up the spectacle via grand designs and effects, but a few found it reliant on familiar beats. With a $145 million price tag, it aims for profitability, though marketing and the box office dip complicate that.
Promotions, including tie-ins, boosted the premiere but couldn’t hold the wave.
Is a Third Wicked Movie on the Horizon, and What Might It Involve?
Director Jon M. Chu hinted at “a lot of ideas flying around” for more during the premiere. Ariana Grande showed interest without confirmation, while Bowen Yang views the tale as wrapped.
Songwriter Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman explore “adjunct” concepts, not direct sequels, drawing from Gregory Maguire‘s series. Maguire’s 2005 sequel Son of a Witch centers on Elphaba’s son Liir, offering plot fodder from his teen years to adulthood, though adaptations would require tweaks to fit the musical’s changes.
Writer Dana Fox called the idea “spicy” but prefers preserving the duology, with Universal eyeing expansions if justified beyond profits. No official go-ahead exists, but the books—like A Lion Among Men and Out of Oz—provide ample room for spin-offs.
Wicked: For Good offered a fitting end to the musical’s arc but couldn’t capture the original’s sustained magic, hit by rivals and tempered expectations. As talks of extensions simmer, drawing from Son of a Witch or other Maguire works, the franchise’s future hinges on fresh angles that honor the source while enticing crowds. Fans might yet return to Oz if the right spark ignites.
Hat Tips
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Article Compiled and Edited by Ivy Adams.