“Wicked” debuted with $114 million, ranking first at the box office

evil dominated the box office the pre-Thanksgiving weekend.

According to The Hollywood Reporter , Universal Pictures’ live-action adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted at No. 1 at the domestic box office with $114 million.

This number makes it the third largest opening of the year, behind Deadpool and Wolverine and Brain Teasers 2this Associated Press Report. It also set a new record for a Broadway musical adaptation and ranks among the biggest opening weekends for a big-screen musical ever.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, evil Total global revenue reached $164.2 million.

Meanwhile, Paramount Gladiator IIThe sequel to Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning 2000 film is expected to gross $55.5 million domestically. THR. Starring Paul Mescal, Denzo Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Fred Heckinger, the film has grossed $165.5 million at the international box office.

There has been speculation that the two major films could recreate the Bappenheimer Effect, referencing the box office success of their simultaneous releases. Barbie and Oppenheimer 2023. Gladiator II and evil), the two films did not fully meet the requirements for domestic release Barbie ($162 million) and Oppenheimer ($82.5 million), but still a strong performance.

Erivo plays the green-skinned Elphaba, and Grande plays her pink love interest Galinda (aka Glinda the Good). , evil has already won rave reviews from critics, especially for the lead actors’ performances in these iconic roles. The second part of the adaptation is expected to be released in November 2025.

Accompanying the film’s release is Evil: Original Soundtrackwhich includes 11 songs from the film as well as a new orchestral number. Songs from the second half of the musical will be released with Part Two in 2025.