That was incredibly swift! The film Wicked has been rewriting box-office records since its release on November 22. This long-anticipated cinematic adaptation of the acclaimed 2003 Broadway musical has already achieved a staggering global gross of $382.8 million, making it one of the top-grossing films derived from Broadway shows, surpassed only by three other notable titles.
Featuring powerhouse performances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, this film is directed by Jon M. Chu, known for his successful adaptation of the Broadway favorite, In the Heights, which released in 2021. Chu’s expertise in translating stage magic to the big screen adds to the anticipation surrounding Wicked and its potential for future acclaim.
According to Box Office Mojo, seven film adaptations of Broadway musicals rank among the top 1,000 films globally based on lifetime earnings. This list includes Mamma Mia!, which is based on the 2001 stage musical featuring the beloved songs of ABBA. Interestingly, the sequel, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, is excluded because it is considered primarily a sequel to a successful film rather than a direct Broadway adaptation, despite its impressive worldwide gross of $395.6 million.
Mark your calendars for the release of Wicked Part Two, scheduled for November 21, 2025. There’s much speculation about whether this sequel will replicate the box-office success of its predecessor. If it does, Jon M. Chu will join Rob Marshall as the only directors with two films featured on this prestigious list, with Marshall being known for directing Chicago and Into the Woods.
It’s essential to note that comparing box-office revenues across different eras can be misleading. The most significant blockbuster films from previous decades cannot compete with the gross figures seen in today’s market. The Sound of Music, for instance, has grossed $159.5 million globally, which does not qualify it for the top 1,000 films today, yet it remains one of the most iconic films in cinematic history since its release in 1965, based on the 1959 Broadway musical.
Several other Broadway musical adaptations have achieved over million in worldwide grosses yet did not make the top list. These include Dreamgirls at $155.5 million, the 2021 remake of West Side Story at $76 million, My Fair Lady at $72.7 million, and Funny Girl at $52.2 million.
Here?s a look at the seven top-grossing film adaptations of Broadway musicals, all of which are recognized in Box Office Mojo?s prestigious list of the top 1,000 films based on lifetime worldwide earnings.
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Hairspray – A Celebration of Dance and Diversity
Image Credit: ?New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection Film?s worldwide gross: $203.6 million
Soundtrack?s Billboard 200 peak: No. 2
Stars: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney, Nikki Blonsky
Director: Adam Shankman
Date film opened: July 20, 2007
Date Broadway show opened: Aug. 15, 2002
Music credits: Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
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Into the Woods – A Journey Through Fairytales
Film?s worldwide gross: $212.9 million
Soundtrack?s Billboard 200 peak: No. 8
Stars: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, Johnny Depp
Director: Rob Marshall
Date film opened: Dec. 25, 2014
Date Broadway show opened: Nov. 5, 1987
Music credits: Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
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Chicago – A Glitzy Tale of Crime and Fame
Image Credit: Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection Film?s worldwide gross: $306.8 million
Soundtrack?s Billboard 200 peak: No. 2
Stars: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Lucy Liu, Colm Feore
Director: Rob Marshall
Date film opened: Jan. 24, 2003 (earlier in selected markets)
Date Broadway show opened: June 3, 1975
Music credits: Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
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Wicked – A Magical Tale of Friendship and Betrayal
Film?s worldwide gross (so far): $382.8 million
Soundtrack?s Billboard 200 peak: No. 2 (so far)
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Director: Jon M. Chu
Date film opened: Nov. 22, 2024
Date Broadway show opened: Oct. 30, 2003
Music credits: Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
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Grease – A Timeless Classic of Teen Romance
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Film?s worldwide gross: $396.3 million
Soundtrack?s Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (12 weeks)
Stars: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Eve Arden, Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell, Edd Byrnes, Sid Caesar, Alice Ghostley, Dody Goodman, Sha Na Na
Director: Randal Kleiser
Date film opened: June 16, 1978
Date Broadway show opened: Feb. 14, 1972
Music credits: Music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
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Les Misérables – A Gripping Tale of Love and Redemption
Film?s worldwide gross: $442.8 million
Soundtrack?s Billboard 200 peak: No.
