What's happened
The sequel to the musical 'Wicked' opened with a $68.68 million debut, leading the weekend box office. It received mixed reviews but is expected to generate a $151.5 million weekend total. Other films like 'Now You See Me: Now You Don’t' and 'The Running Man' also performed, with the latter earning $17 million domestically.
What's behind the headline?
The box office success of 'Wicked: For Good' underscores the enduring appeal of musical adaptations in cinema, especially when tied to beloved stage productions. Its $68.68 million opening indicates strong audience interest, despite mixed reviews, which suggests that franchise loyalty and star power (notably Ariana Grande) drive ticket sales.
The film's performance also highlights the strategic timing of holiday releases, with analysts predicting a $151.5 million weekend total, making it a potential record-breaker for the Thanksgiving period. Conversely, 'Now You See Me: Now You Don’t' and 'The Running Man' demonstrate the challenges of reviving older franchises; while 'Now You See Me' opened with $21.3 million globally, its critical reception remains mixed, and its long-term success is uncertain.
The varied reception and box office results reflect a market increasingly driven by franchise fatigue and audience loyalty. The success of 'Wicked' suggests that well-established properties with emotional and nostalgic appeal will continue to dominate, but new entries face an uphill battle unless they can offer fresh storytelling or capitalize on existing fanbases.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that 'Wicked: For Good' earned $68.68 million on its debut, with Ariana Grande expressing her excitement about the project. Meanwhile, AP News and The Independent provide context on the performance of other films like 'Now You See Me: Now You Don’t' and 'The Running Man', noting their opening figures and audience reception. The articles collectively highlight the competitive landscape of the current box office, emphasizing the importance of franchise appeal and timing for success.
How we got here
The new 'Wicked' film is a sequel to the 2024 adaptation of the Broadway musical, which has been highly anticipated. It features Ariana Grande as Glinda and expands on the musical's second act. The film's release coincides with a busy holiday box office period, aiming to capitalize on the franchise's popularity and the upcoming release of 'Wicked 2'. Meanwhile, other new releases include 'Now You See Me: Now You Don’t' and 'The Running Man', both of which are part of established franchises with varying degrees of success.
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