The excitement for Universal Pictures’ cinematic adaptation of the smash-hit musical “Wicked” is reaching dizzying heights as the film prepares for its theatrical release on November 22. Notably, the film has achieved remarkable first-day advance ticket sales on Fandango, marking it as the second-best year-to-date entry, trailing only Marvel Studios’ blockbuster releases like “Deadpool” and “Wolverine.” The precedents set by these films—particularly with “Deadpool” grossing an impressive $96.1 million on its opening day—raise expectations for “Wicked” to follow suit. The film is strategically positioned to capitalize on the Thanksgiving holiday, a prime window for both family and musical fare.
Universal’s decision to push “Wicked” from its original Wednesday slot—previously scheduled to coincide with Disney’s “Moana 2″—to the highly competitive opening day of Paramount’s “Gladiator II” might suggest that the studio is looking to harness collective audience attention during this peak season. The anticipation is palpable, with some industry insiders hoping for a repeat of the synergistic box office success seen during the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, where simultaneous releases created a unique viewing landscape. The exact ramifications of this brave scheduling shift remain uncertain, but the alignment could potentially amplify ticket sales across the board during this busy holiday period.
In another groundbreaking achievement, “Wicked” has established itself as the best PG-rated first-day ticket pre-seller of 2024 on Fandango, while also ranking third in PG-rated film pre-sales of all time. This places it right behind animated juggernauts like “Frozen II” and “The Lion King,” both of which also leveraged lucrative holiday periods to generate massive box office returns, with totals of $130.2 million and $191.8 million respectively over their opening weekends. It’s crucial to note, however, that advance ticket sales aren’t always a foolproof predictor of eventual box office success, as past experiences have shown.
With the recent industry strikes behind them, studios are cautiously optimistic, citing that current presales may offer a more accurate barometer of audience interest than in previous seasons. Comparatively, early ticket sales for “Joker: Folie a Deux” seem subdued when stacked against those of “The Flash,” revealing how audience sentiment can vary widely. In contrast, Cineverse’s “Terrifier 3” foresees a robust opening weekend, as early sales indicate a promising $11 million-plus debut.
The burgeoning excitement surrounding “Wicked” extends beyond mere ticket sales; it represents a cultural milestone. Jerramy Hainline, EVP of Fandango Ticketing, emphasizes the unprecedented build-up to this film, characterizing it as a “must-see theatrical event.” This notion underscores the film’s potential to not only unite diverse audiences but to rekindle a love for the live musical experience in a cinematic form. As “Wicked” looms ever closer, the industry watches with bated breath, positioning it as one of the most highly-anticipated films of the season—and potentially a box office darling of the holidays.