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Wicked for Good launched in theaters with an impressive $143 million domestically—exceeding even the first Wicked film’s debut of $112 million. Such numbers initially seemed to suggest that the musical was on track for monumental success, perhaps even challenging the billion-dollar benchmark many studios crave.
However, the bright debut was swiftly overshadowed by a steep decline. Over the holiday weekend, the film’s box office plummeted by more than 57%, a staggering number considering the typical ticket sales during a holiday when audiences are less likely to work. Historically, holiday weekends tend to sustain or increase cinema attendance, making this drop particularly alarming.