Popular: 'Wicked' becomes no. 1 movie worldwide with P9.6 billion at global box office
Wicked is defying gravity at the box office. Now the no. 1 movie worldwide, the Broadway hit has raked in $162.5 million (P9.6 billion) globally.
Entertainment outlet Deadline reported that in its opening weekend, the movie musical had broken several records, including the biggest global and domestic opening for a movie based on a Broadway show and the biggest global and domestic opening for Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and filmmaker Jon M. Chu.
Previously, the 2012 film Les Miserables had the biggest worldwide opening with $103 million (P6.07 billion).
Wicked also broke records for the biggest US opening for a pop star, beating out Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born), Taylor Swift (Cats), and Harry Styles (Don't Worry Darling).
Following the Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-starrer at the box office this weekend are Gladiator II, Red One, Her Story, and Venom: The Last Dance, as per Entertainment Weekly.
Based on the Broadway hit musical, Wicked revolves around Elphaba (Erivo), a young woman with unusual green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda (Grande), a popular young female gilded by privilege and ambition who has yet to discover her true heart.
After meeting as students in the fantastical Land of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda unexpectedly form a close bond. Their friendship, however, gets tested after an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz himself, even as their lives take very different paths.
The film also stars Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, and Ethan Slater.
Wicked: Part One opened in local cinemas on Nov. 20, while its second part is slated for 2025.
