The land of Oz continues to work its cinematic spell. Wicked: For Good has reached a new box office milestone, officially surpassing another Wizard of Oz inspired film on the worldwide fantasy charts. While it has not replicated the cultural explosion of its predecessor, the sequel is quietly proving its staying power at the global box office.
A Strong Worldwide Performance
Since opening in theaters on November 21, Wicked: For Good has generated approximately $490 million worldwide. That figure places it comfortably among the most successful fantasy films ever released, even as it trails behind the first Wicked movie, which ended its theatrical run at nearly $758 million.
Together, the two films chart the evolving relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The story unfolds before and during Dorothy’s arrival in Oz, following Elphaba’s rebellion against the Wizard, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum, after she uncovers his deception.
Passing Oz the Great and Powerful
According to data from The Numbers, Wicked: For Good now ranks at No. 41 on the list of the highest-grossing fantasy films of all time worldwide. This move places it just above Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful from 2013, which has slipped to No. 42. The original Wicked remains significantly higher on the list at No. 25.
Oz the Great and Powerful offered a prequel narrative centered on the Wizard himself and starred James Franco, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, and Rachel Weisz. Despite earning close to $500 million globally, the film’s financial success was muted due to an estimated production and marketing cost approaching $300 million.
Critical Reception Sets the Two Films Apart
While both films explored Oz from unconventional perspectives, their receptions could not have been more different. Oz the Great and Powerful received mixed reviews and never achieved lasting cultural traction.
By contrast, the first Wicked film was met with near-universal acclaim, earning ten Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande. That momentum did not fully carry over to Wicked: For Good, though both Erivo and Grande earned Golden Globe nominations for their performances.
Awards Outlook and Ongoing Box Office Potential
The sequel’s more restrained reception may limit its presence during awards season, especially compared to its predecessor. Still, anticipation for the finale remained high, and praise for the lead performances has been consistent across reviews.
Importantly, Wicked: For Good is still playing in theaters. With additional weeks on the big screen, its worldwide total could edge closer to the numbers achieved by the first film.
Oz’s Enduring Cinematic Legacy
L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remains one of the most adaptable fantasy worlds ever created. With the original novels in the public domain, filmmakers continue to reinterpret its characters and mythology through new lenses.
Wicked: For Good may not sit at the very top of Oz’s cinematic history, nor at the bottom. Instead, it occupies a respectable and steadily rising place among fantasy box office successes, proving once again that audiences are never quite finished with Oz.
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