Reports swirled yesterday (December 5) that Wicked: Part One, the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, faced bans in certain regions just weeks after breaking box office records. Let’s dive into the details.
Wicked isn’t just a musical—it’s a global sensation. Since its Broadway debut on October 30, 2003, at the Gershwin Theatre, it has captured the hearts of millions with its rich storytelling, dazzling performances, and unforgettable music.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the show offers a fresh perspective on L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz universe. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked reimagines the stories of Elphaba, the green-skinned “Wicked Witch of the West,” and Glinda, the effervescent “Good Witch,” exploring how perception and prejudice shape their destinies.
When Wicked premiered on Broadway, it was anchored by the star power of Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Menzel earned a Tony Award for her role.
The musical’s score is legendary, featuring songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good.” These tracks have become anthems for fans around the world and remain staples of musical theater.
Two decades later, Wicked is still a powerhouse, with the Broadway production bringing in $2.9 million last week alone, according to Broadway World. Its film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, has only expanded the franchise’s legacy.
Wicked: Part One premiered on November 22, starring Cynthia Erivo as the passionate Elphaba and Ariana Grande as the ambitious Glinda. The film soared at the box office, earning $112 million domestically and $162 million globally in its opening weekend—a record for Broadway musical adaptations. To date, the film has grossed an impressive $378 million on a $150 million budget.
The movie concludes with the iconic “Defying Gravity” sequence, setting the stage for Wicked: Part Two, which is set to debut on November 21, 2025. The second installment will continue the story with Erivo and Grande reprising their roles, joined by a stellar cast including Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard), Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), and others.
While Wicked has been a resounding success globally, it faced challenges in some regions. In Kuwait, the film was briefly removed from theaters just before its local release, prompting speculation about a potential ban. The situation has since been resolved, with Wicked now showing in the territory.
According to Variety, the initial removal was rumored to be linked to the film’s LGBTQ+ representation. Similar concerns arose in Qatar, where a Reddit user shared their experience of being refunded for tickets after the film was suddenly pulled:
“I bought 2 tickets for Wicked today for Vendome at 4:00 pm at Novo Cinemas, and when I got there, they said my ticket is going to be refunded because the movie got banned in all of Qatar.”
Another user posted a screenshot from Novo Cinemas explaining that the removal was due to “censorship issues.” However, the film has since returned to theaters in Qatar.
Despite these hiccups, Wicked continues to soar. It held the top box office spot until Disney’s Moana 2 premiered just before Thanksgiving, raking in a massive $225 million domestically over the five-day holiday weekend. Still, Wicked has shown resilience, reportedly outpacing Moana 2 in midweek earnings this week, according to Deadline.
Universal Pictures left no stone unturned in promoting Wicked. From teasers and trailers to appearances by stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande across social media and TV, the film has been a marketing juggernaut. This relentless campaign, coupled with overwhelmingly positive fan and critical reception, has set the stage for a strong launch of Wicked: Part Two next year.
Have you witnessed the magic of Wicked on the big screen yet? Share your thoughts below!
