Everyone knew that “Wicked For Good,” the sequel to last year’s blockbuster “Wicked,” was going to be big at the box office. It may be even bigger than expected. The Jon M. Chu-helmed movie musical has already earned $30.8 million at the box office in pre-release previews alone. That’s the highest tally of the year so far.
READ MORE: “Wicked: For Good” Review: This Solid Second Half Is Darker, Denser, and Delicious In Its Own Way
The preview total comes from a number of different sources, including Amazon Prime Video preview screenings on Monday ($6.1 million), Wednesday advance screenings ($6.5 million), and Thursday’s results beginning at 2 PM ($18.2 million). Audience reaction is strong so far, with posttrak results at 92% positive, 82% definite recommendation. The first “Wicked,” noted as “Wicked: Part One” at the time, earned 90% positive and 80% definite recommendation. Critics have been more mixed on the second chapter, with the film earning a 60 grade on Metacritic and 69% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The previous biggest preview generator this year was “Fantastic Four: First Steps” with $24.4 million. This is also now one of the top 10 “previews” of all time, ranking just behind “Doctor Strange: Multitude of Madness” $36 million in 2022.
Whether “Wicked for Good’s” box office is front-loaded remains to be seen. The initial film did not play like many musicals, opening to $118 million over the five-day Thanksgiving frame before dropping just 55% the following weekend. It took in a massive $474 million in the U.S. and $758 million worldwide. The Universal Studios release is expected to earn over $125 million in its opening weekend, and initial reports suggest “For Good” is already performing better overseas than its predecessor.
Box office observers should also be on the lookout for “Zootopia 2′” opening in China this weekend, where it may clear $200 million over the five-day weekend. Yes, $200 million in China alone. The Disney Animated sequel drops in the U.S. on Wednesday.
“Wicked for Good” is now playing nationwide
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