It seems the Wicked movie is very, very popular. The first half of Universal’s two-part adaptation of the international hit musical Wicked, which officially premiered November 22, has surpassed the 2008 release of Mamma Mia! to become the highest-grossing adaptation of any stage musical in box-office history.
The Jon M. Chu-directed film, co-starring Tony winner Cynthia Erivo and Grammy winner
Ariana Grande, has taken in $634,378,535 globally after only six weeks in release. By comparison, the Meryl Streep-led Mamma Mia! took in $610,002,542 during its entire cinematic release.
Domestically, Wicked—which will be available for home viewers beginning December 31—has earned $424,230,535 domestically with an international box-office take of $210,148,000. The second half of the film, titled Wicked: For Good, will arrive in cinemas November 21, 2025. Will For Good break records next year? Check back on Playbill.com to find out.
It should be noted, however, when figures are adjusted for inflation, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews, is technically the highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time. The 1965 film grossed $159,484,051 worldwide, approximately $1.3 billion in today’s figures.
READ: Behind the Broadway Cameos and the New Song in the Wicked Movie
Below, find the domestic, international, and worldwide
grosses for a host of movie musicals released in cinemas since the
turn-of-the-century.
The titles are numerous, so we made a few caveats. We didn’t
include Disney musicals, live filmed versions of Broadway shows (like
the Waitress live stage capture), or original musicals (like La La Land).
Titles are listed in descending order based on worldwide grosses.
Wicked (2024)
domestic: $424,230,535; international: $210,148,000; worldwide (as of December 29): $634,378,535
budget: $150 million
Mamma Mia! (2008)
domestic: $144,290,968; international: $465,711,574; worldwide: $610,002,542
budget: $52 million
Les Misérables (2012)
domestic: $148,809,770; international: $293,489,539; $442,299,309
budget: $61 million
Chicago (2002)
domestic: $170,687,518; international: $136,089,214; worldwide: $306,776,732
budget: $45 million
Into the Woods (2014)
domestic: $128,002,372; international: $84,900,000; worldwide: $212,902,372
budget: $50 million
Hairspray (2007)
domestic: $118,946,291; international: $84,681,462; worldwide: $203,627,753
budget: $27.8 million
Dreamgirls (2006)
domestic: $103,365,956; international: $52,064,379; worldwide: $155,430,335
budget: $70 million
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
domestic: $51,293,931; international: $103,380,310; worldwide: $154,674,241
budget: $70 million
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
domestic: $52,898,073; international: $100,485,554; worldwide: $153,383,627
budget: $50 million
Annie (2014 remake)
domestic: $85,911,262; international: $50,942,244; worldwide: $136,853,506
budget: $65 million
West Side Story (2021 remake)
domestic: $38,530,322; international: $37,485,849; worldwide: $76,016,171
budget: $100 million
Cats (2019)
domestic: $27,166,770; international: $48,392,155; worldwide: $75,558,925
budget: $95 million
The Color Purple (2023)
domestic: $60,619,191; international: $8,200,000; worldwide: $68,819,191
budget: $100 million (estimated)
Jersey Boys (2014)
domestic: $47,047,013; international: $20,600,000; worldwide: $67,647,013
budget: $40 million
Rock of Ages (2012)
domestic: $38,518,613; international: $20,900,000; worldwide: $59,418,613
budget: $75 million
Nine (2009)
domestic: $19,676,965; international: $34,327,985; worldwide: $54,004,950
budget: $80 million
In the Heights (2021)
domestic: $29,975,167; international: $15,200,000; worldwide: $45,175,167
budget: $55 million
The Producers (2005)
domestic: $19,398,532; international: $18,676,786; worldwide: $38,075,318
budget: $45 million
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022)
not released domestically; international: $34,706,541; worldwide: $34,706,541
budget: $25 million
Rent (2005)
domestic: $29,077,547; international: $2,593,073; worldwide: $31,670,620
budget: $40 million
Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
domestic: $15,002,646; international: $4,130,808; worldwide: $19,133,454
budget: $28 million
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
domestic: $3,082,286; international: $577,795; worldwide: $3,660,081
budget: $6 million
The Last Five Years (2014, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
domestic: $145,427; international: $146,665; worldwide: $292,092
budget: $3.5 million
The Prom (2020)
not released domestically; international: $187,430; worldwide: $187,430
budget: undisclosed
tick, tick… BOOM! (2021, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
not released domestically; international: $112,777; worldwide: $112,777
The Fantasticks (2000, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
not released internationally; domestic: $49,666; worldwide: $49,666
budget: $55 million
Naked Boys Singing! (2007, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
not released internationally; domestic: $25,526; worldwide: $25,526
budget: undisclosed
Budget figures were gathered from BoxOfficeMojo.com and IMDB.
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Cynthia Erivo, Jon M. Chu, Ariana Grande, and production company of Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo, and Ariana Grande
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Ariana Grande and cast of Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh in Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Jonathan Bailey and cast of Wicked
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
In a stunning turn of events, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked has surpassed Mamma Mia! as the highest-grossing stage musical adaptation of all time. The beloved story of the Witches of Oz has captivated audiences around the world, and its success on the big screen is a testament to its enduring popularity.
Wicked, which follows the friendship between the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch before the events of The Wizard of Oz, has been a box office powerhouse since its release. With a star-studded cast, dazzling special effects, and a powerful message of acceptance and friendship, the film has resonated with audiences of all ages.
Mamma Mia!, which held the title of highest-grossing stage musical adaptation for over a decade, is now in second place behind Wicked. The feel-good musical featuring the music of ABBA has been a fan favorite since its debut on Broadway, and its success on the big screen solidified its status as a beloved classic.
As Wicked continues to break records and delight audiences, it’s clear that the magic of Oz is as strong as ever. With its timeless story, unforgettable music, and powerful themes, Wicked is sure to remain a beloved favorite for years to come.
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- Wicked film
- Mamma Mia!
- Highest-grossing
- Stage musical adaptation
- Box office success
- Broadway hits
- Record-breaking film
- Popular musicals
- Top-grossing adaptations
- Theater success
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