Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) on the Yellow Brick Road at the beginning of 'Wicked: For Good'Image via Universal Pictures
By
Rahul Malhotra
Published 31 minutes ago
Rahul Malhotra is a Weekend News Writer for Collider. From Francois Ozon to David Fincher, he'll watch anything once.
He has been writing for Collider for over two years, and has covered everything from Marvel to the Oscars, and Marvel at the Oscars. He also writes obsessively about the box office, charting the many hits and misses that are released weekly, and how their commercial performance shapes public perception. In his time at Collider, he has also helped drive diversity by writing stories about the multiple Indian film industries, with a goal to introduce audiences to a whole new world of cinema.
Swing and a miss > measured victory. Also, #JusticeForHan. (He/Him). Sign in to your Collider account follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapReleased on Friday to incredible box office success, Universal's Wicked: For Good has broken several records for Broadway adaptations already. The film passed a handful of older fantasy and musical movies in its debut weekend, which goes to show just how massive its performance was. The film's $223 million haul is bigger than what most studio movies, besides the outright bombs, are able to gross in their lifetime runs. For instance, it took Wicked 2 just one day to pass the lifetime global box office haul of Universal's own Cats, which was released to toxic reviews in 2019, and now remains destined for a lifetime of mockery.
And it took Wicked 2 just three days in theaters to overtake one of the best fantasy films ever made, director Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Released in 2000, the wuxia film grossed a grand total of around $215 million and left the Western world in awe. In many ways, it was the original crossover hit; in addition to its box office success, the movie also attracted a massive wave of support during the awards season. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was nominated for 10 Oscars, including in the Best Picture category, and, until recently, was also the top-grossing foreign-produced movie at the domestic box office. It has now been beaten by Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle.
The Critical Reception for 'Wicked 2' Has Been Slightly Muted
Wicked 2, on the other hand, is well on course to beat the $760 million lifetime global haul of its predecessor, which was released to an incredible response last year. Produced on a collective reported budget of $300 million, both Wicked movies — adapted from the hit Broadway show inspired by Gregory Maguire's book, which itself is based on the works of L. Frank Baum — have been directed by Jon M. Chu and feature Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the lead roles. The sequel, however, wasn't as well received by critics as its predecessor, which earned 10 Oscar nods and is sitting on an 88% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.
You can watch Wicked 2 in theaters, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
8
10
Wicked: For Good
Like Follow Followed PG Drama Fantasy Romance Release Date November 21, 2025 Runtime 137 Minutes Director Jon M. Chu Writers Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire Producers Marc Platt, David Stone
11 Images
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) with a thoughtful frown in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) smiling in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) putting on her crown in Wicked: For Good
Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) playing in a marching band in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) walking down the aisle surrounded by yellow butterflies in Wicked: For Good
Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) staring into each other’s eyes up close in Wicked: For Good
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) flying on her broom in Wicked: For Good
Wicked For Good Teaser Thumbnail
Glinda (Ariana Grande) clutching a book to her chest in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) floating inside a shimmering bubble in Wicked: For Good
Glinda (Ariana Grande) looking thoughtful in Wicked: For GoodClose
Cast
See All-
Cynthia Erivo
Elphaba
-
Ariana Grande
Glinda
Expand
Collapse
-
Wicked: For Good
-
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
8 hours ago
'Game of Thrones' Stars' Despised Horror Video Game Adaptation Streams for Free Next Month
6 hours ago
Clint Eastwood’s Controversial $60 Million War Movie Infiltrates New Streaming Home
6 hours ago
Matt Damon’s Forgotten Sci-Fi Bomb Seeks Redemption at New Streaming Home
7 hours ago
David Fincher’s “Feel-Bad Movie of Christmas” Finds New Streaming Home Just in Time
What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
One of HBO Max's Best Series Was This Raunchy, Short-Lived Dramedy You Can Watch for Free
The 20 Greatest Movies of the Last 50 Years, Ranked
A Century of Truth — The 10 Greatest Courtroom Dramas of the Last 100 Years, Ranked
