Christopher Nolan’s explosive movie Oppenheimer arrived with a bang and left Hollywood politely dazed. Critics swooned, awards followed, and the Oppenheimer stars carried seven Oscars home via the Barbenheimer circus. Yet friendship, harmony, and a little green defiance suggest Wicked: For Good plans a cheerful coup.

Wicked: For Good has officially surpassed Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer at the domestic box office, marking a major milestone for Universal Pictures. Consequently, the musical sequel now ranks as the fifteenth highest-grossing Universal release in North American history.

This quiet triumph arrives despite Oppenheimer being treated as cinema royalty. Oppenheimer dominated cultural conversation in 2023, earning near-universal praise as a landmark historical drama and redefining audience expectations for prestige cinema.

Beyond commercial success, Oppenheimer secured lasting acclaim through the 96th Academy Awards, winning seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Cillian Murphy. Its momentum was amplified by the Barbenheimer phenomenon, which transformed theatrical attendance into an event.

By contrast, the film has proven its strength domestically through consistency rather than spectacle. Even with reduced theater counts, the film posted strong weekend holds, repeat viewings, and steady grosses, underscoring the enduring appeal of the Broadway musical adaptation.

This achievement not only marks a great box office milestone but also proves that Universal was not wrong about Wicked: For Good.

Why Universal Pictures Was Right to Bet on Wicked: For Good?

Many viewers initially argued that dividing the Wicked adaptation into two films felt unnecessary. However, Wicked: For Good demonstrated that Universal Pictures benefited from patience, allowing emotional, political, and narrative threads to unfold without compression or tonal compromise.

By isolating Act II, director Jon M. Chu replaced spectacle with intimacy and consequence. This structure deepened Elphaba and Glinda’s bond, while Cynthia Erivo’s 'No Good Deed' performance exemplified how deliberate pacing elevated character over scale.

Finally, commercial response silenced skepticism. A one hundred fifty million dollar opening weekend and a ninety-seven percent audience score confirmed that Universal Pictures correctly trusted fans, proving that a two-part structure transformed excess into endurance.

What do you think of Wicked: For Good's new milestone? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Iffat Siddiqui

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui