The film adaptation of “Wicked,” which premiered on November 22 and famously stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, has quickly made a significant impact at the box office, exceeding $580 million globally as of December 26. This places it among the top-grossing films based on Broadway musicals, with hopes that it will soon surpass the current highest-grossing musical film, which has a lifetime gross of $611.5 million.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, renowned for his work on other successful adaptations such as “In the Heights,” “Wicked” demonstrates the commercial viability of Broadway stories in film format. To date, seven film adaptations of Broadway musicals are ranked in the top 1,000 highest-grossing films on Box Office Mojo, with notable titles including “Mamma Mia!” and its sequel, alongside classics like “Grease” and its less successful sequel, “Grease 2.”
Anticipation grows for the sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” which is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025. If it continues the trend of its predecessor, Chu would join an elite group of directors recognized for having multiple films in the top-grossing ranks, alongside Rob Marshall.
Comparing box office earnings across different eras is complex, as inflation and market dynamics vary significantly. For instance, while “The Sound of Music,” a classic from 1965, grossed $159.5 million, it doesn’t rank among the top 1,000 films today. Other recent adaptations like “Dreamgirls” and “West Side Story” also achieved notable box office figures exceeding $50 million, reflecting a strong trend in converting stage performances to cinematic experiences.Catherine Zeta-Jones starred in the film “Chicago,” released on January 24, 2003. The movie, directed by Rob Marshall, grossed approximately $306.8 million worldwide and features a notable cast including Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly. The soundtrack peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The Broadway show associated with this film premiered on June 3, 1975, featuring music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
Another renowned musical film, “Grease,” debuted on June 16, 1978, directed by Randall Kleiser. It starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, among others. This film achieved significant success, grossing around $396.3 million globally and reaching #1 on the Billboard 200, maintaining that position for 12 weeks. The original Broadway show opened on February 14, 1972, with music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
“Les Misérables,” directed by Tom Hooper and released on December 25, 2012, is based on the famous Victor Hugo novel. It earned about $442.8 million and was a commercial hit, with its soundtrack reaching #1 for one week on the Billboard 200. The Broadway adaptation began on March 12, 1987, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
“The Wicked,” an anticipated musical film directed by Jon M. Chu, is set to release on November 22, 2024. With an expected revenue of $580.9 million, the film features stars like Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The original Broadway show premiered on October 30, 2003, and the music is credited to Stephen Schwartz. Each of these films illustrates the enduring appeal of musical theater on both stage and screen.”Mamma Mia!” is a musical film that was released on July 18, 2008, directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, and Christine Baranski. It is based on the Broadway show that premiered on October 18, 2001, which features the timeless music and lyrics of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.
The film was a commercial success, grossing approximately $611.5 million worldwide. Its soundtrack was also well-received, peaking at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for one week.
“Mamma Mia!” continues to be celebrated for its engaging music and vibrant performances, solidifying its status as a beloved classic in musical cinema.