“Wicked,” now the highest grossing movie in the United States and based on a Broadway musical, was released in China on Dec. 6. 

A Chinese poster for “Wicked.” [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

Directed by Chinese American filmmaker Jon M. Chu, the film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and pop star Ariana Grande as Galinda. Oscar-winning Chinese Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and Chinese American comedian Yang Bowen also appear in the cast. Written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, with songs by Stephen Schwartz, the blockbuster is the first installment of a two-part adaptation for the hit Broadway musical of the same name.

The film is loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” which reimagines L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” its sequels and the 1939 film adaptation. The novel inspired the 2003 Broadway musical “Wicked,” produced by Universal Pictures’ stage division and directed by Joe Mantello. The musical subsequently became a global sensation, earning three Tony Awards and running for 21 years, making it the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history.

Set in the Land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival, “Wicked” follows Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman with green skin, and Galinda, a privileged student, as they form a deep friendship at Shiz University. Starring Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Grammy-winning global superstar Ariana Grande as Galinda, the film explores how their paths diverge after an encounter with the Wizard of Oz — Galinda seeks popularity and power, while Elphaba stays true to herself, leading them to their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The film adaptation was split into two parts to avoid cutting plot points and to expand on the characters’ journeys and relationships.

A skyscraper is lit up with the Chinese title for “Wicked” in Shanghai, where Universal Pictures held one of the two movie premieres, Dec. 3, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

Before its opening in China this weekend, “Wicked” has already grossed $268.8 million in North America and $97.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $366 million as of Dec. 2, according to Box Office Mojo. By the end of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it officially became the highest-grossing musical-to-screen adaptation of all time in the United States and Canada, surpassing the $190 million lifetime domestic gross of “Grease” (1978).

The film’s box office success is just another global triumph for the “Wicked” franchise. On stages throughout the world, the musical’s residencies and world tours have grossed over $5 billion, including the production’s China tour in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou from 2016 to 2017. 

Alongside an extensive range of dolls and merchandise, Universal Pictures and its 450 promotional partners achieved a record $350 million in media value for the tentpole, the highest ever for a Hollywood theatrical release. It’s a highly profitable universe, with the next installment, “Wicked Part Two,” scheduled for release on Nov. 21, 2025.

“Wicked” has also set numerous records since its debut, including the biggest global and American opening for a movie based on a Broadway show; the biggest global and American opening for a pop star, naming Ariana Grande; and the biggest global opening for a film that is not a sequel in 2024. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 89% of 331 critics’ reviews are positive, making it one of the highest-rated films of the year. The website’s consensus reads: “Defying gravity with its magical pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked’s sheer bravura and charm make for an irresistible invitation to Oz.”

Singers Ayanga, Isabelle Huang and Lexie Liu attend the “Wicked” premiere and pose for photos in Shanghai, Dec. 3, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

China premiere events were held in Shanghai and Beijing on Dec. 3 and 4, impressing both industry guests and audiences. Chinese musical theater actor and singer Ayanga called it a “visual and audio feast” and described the presentation of the song “Defying Gravity” in the film as “mind-blowing.” He also applauded the ending of the film, calling it “so brilliant, explosively cool,” and recommended that audiences should take their whole family to see it.