Box Office Milestones: Wicked Shatters Records, Sonic 3 Sets Franchise High with $74 Million International Debut

The global box office has been buzzing with record-breaking achievements and standout performances. Universal’s “Wicked” has soared to new heights as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in global box office history, while Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” delivered a franchise-best international debut. Let’s delve into the remarkable milestones of these cinematic successes.

‘Wicked’ Overtakes ‘Mamma Mia’ as Broadway’s Biggest Global Box Office Hit

Universal Pictures’ adaptation of the beloved musical “Wicked” has officially surpassed 2008’s “Mamma Mia” to claim the title of the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation globally.

• Total Global Gross: $634 million after six weeks.
• Domestic Earnings: $424 million, surpassing 1978’s “Grease” ($188.62 million) as the top Broadway adaptation at the domestic box office.

This success is a significant win for Universal, especially with the sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” slated for release in 2025. The film’s achievements stand out in a market where recent stage-to-screen adaptations, such as “The Color Purple” (2023) and “West Side Story” (2021), have struggled to resonate.

‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ Smashes Franchise Records with $74 Million International Opening

The latest installment of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series has sprinted to a record-breaking start, achieving the franchise’s largest international debut to date.

• International Opening Weekend: $74 million (including previews).
• Biggest Markets:
  • United Kingdom: $15.1 million
  • Mexico: $10.3 million
  • France: $7.3 million
• North American Box Office: $137 million to date.
• Global Total: $211 million.

The film’s performance far exceeds its predecessor, “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”, which opened with $33 million internationally. With additional territories like Korea, Brazil, and Italy awaiting the film’s release, “Sonic 3” is poised for continued success.

Other Noteworthy Performances at the Box Office

Disney’s “Mufasa” Rebounds with Strong International Earnings

The “Lion King” prequel garnered $77.1 million across 52 international markets this weekend, pushing its:

• International Total: $214 million.
• Global Earnings: $328 million.

Disney’s “Moana 2” Nears $900 Million Milestone

The sequel to the Polynesian adventure continues to shine:

• Weekend Overseas Earnings: $36 million.
• International Total: $487.8 million.
• Global Total: $882 million.

Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ Impresses in Limited Release

The gothic tale collected:

• International Box Office: $3 million from five markets.
• Domestic Performance: $40.3 million over five days.

What’s Next for These Blockbusters?

The year-end box office rush, bolstered by holiday releases and New Year’s break, promises to further elevate the numbers for these films. With audiences flocking to theaters globally, “Wicked”, “Sonic 3”, and Disney’s offerings have cemented their place as the key cinematic highlights of the season.

Stay tuned for updates as these films continue to dominate the global box office charts.