Wicked: For Good Starts Strong with $30.8 Million in Previews
Universal Pictures’ ambitious adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked: For Good kicked off the Thanksgiving moviegoing season with an impressive $30.8 million in Thursday and late-night previews. The early take represents the best showing of the year at the domestic box office and tops the debut of the film’s first installment from the previous year, which earned $19.2 million in previews. Industry observers see the robust start as a strong indicator for the film’s overall run in the crowded holiday window.
What the Numbers Say About the Market
The $30.8 million previews figure places Wicked: For Good in a league of its own for 2024 previews, signaling strong demand from audiences who are eager to experience a high-budget fantasy musical on the big screen. The film benefits from a high-profile release strategy, leveraging pre-holiday marketing momentum and long-standing popularity of the source material. While previews don’t always translate into a massive weekend haul, they set a positive trajectory for box office analysts watching how the Thanksgiving frame will perform against other contenders.
Competition and Context
This year’s Thanksgiving slate includes several family-friendly options and potential counter-programming for cinephiles and general audiences alike. Wicked: For Good arrives with built-in name recognition, extensive musical numbers, and a vivid visual style that promises a cinematic spectacle. The movie’s previews push sets expectations higher, particularly among fans who have followed the story’s twists and the moral questions it raises about power, destiny, and identity.
Why Audiences Turned Out
Several factors contribute to the early enthusiasm: a familiar, beloved property, a built-out production that aims to deliver top-tier visuals and musical performances, and the holiday timing that naturally brings families and groups to theaters. The previews also benefit from a refined promotional push—clip releases, soundtrack drops, and strategic media appearances—that keeps Wicked: For Good at the forefront of consumer conversations in the weeks leading to Thanksgiving.
Cinematography, Score, and Family Appeal
Early reviews suggest a synergistic blend of practical effects, cutting-edge CGI, and a sweeping musical score designed to translate the stage magic to widescreen cinema. The family-and-friend group dynamic around holiday viewing is a crucial driver, as ongoing trends indicate audiences still favor shared theater experiences for large-scale, immersive titles. If the film sustains momentum through the weekend, it could redefine expectations for mid-budget to high-budget fantasy musicals in current theatrical markets.
Outlook for the Thanksgiving Weekend
Analysts will be watching how Wicked: For Good performs against other new releases and holdovers as the country heads into Thanksgiving. The film’s ability to convert preview interest into sustained ticket sales will hinge on word-of-mouth, audience reception to its pacing, and how well the musical numbers resonate with moviegoers who may be encountering the story for the first time or re-entering the world with fresh expectations.
Implications for Universal and the Industry
Wicked: For Good’s previews demonstrate the staying power of large-scale musical fantasies in an era where streaming content competes for attention. A strong Thanksgiving start offers Universal a crucial revenue windfall and a potential franchise catalyst, especially if the film delivers a compelling blend of spectacle and heart that translates into long legs at the box office. Market watchers will also consider this opening when evaluating the studio’s slate, production strategies, and how studios plan for future tentpole releases during peak-traffic periods.
Bottom Line
With $30.8 million in previews, Wicked: For Good signals an auspicious kickoff to the Thanksgiving season and a powerful statement for Universal’s prestige tentpole strategy. If the story and songs land with audiences as hoped, the film could extend its momentum well beyond opening weekend, reinforcing the enduring appeal of high-concept musical narratives on the big screen.
