Ariana Grande's star power helped propel "Wicked" to a record-breaking $114 million opening weekend, marking the biggest debut ever for a Broadway film adaptation. The musical adaptation's success comes at a crucial pre-Thanksgiving period, matching 2019's box office levels when "Frozen 2" dominated theaters.

The film's success was largely driven by its star power, with PostTrack data revealing that 39% of audiences attended specifically to see Grande and Cynthia Erivo, while 29% were drawn by their connection to the original musical.

"Wicked" now stands as the third-biggest opening of the year, surpassing "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" ($111 million) and ranks 10th among all November domestic box office openings. The strong performance, combined with "Gladiator II's" $55.5 million opening, signals a robust recovery for theatrical releases.

The strategic pre-Thanksgiving release timing positions "Wicked" to potentially surpass Disney's "Frozen" record of $93.5 million for the five-day Thanksgiving weekend period set in 2013.

National Association of Theatre Owners President & CEO Michael O'Leary noted that this success, along with strong pre-sales for upcoming releases like "Moana 2," demonstrates the enduring appeal of theatrical experiences and suggests a promising outlook for box office revenues heading into December and the new year.

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