Wicked Film Surpasses Mamma Mia! as Highest-Grossing Stage Musical Adaptation

It seems the Wicked movie is very, very popular. The first half of Universal's two-part adaptation of the international hit musical Wicked, which officially premiered November 22, has surpassed the 2008 release of Mamma Mia! to become the highest-grossing adaptation of any stage musical in box-office history.

The Jon M. Chu-directed film, co-starring Tony winner Cynthia Erivo and Grammy winner Ariana Grande, has taken in $634,378,535 globally after only six weeks in release. By comparison, the Meryl Streep-led Mamma Mia! took in $610,002,542 during its entire cinematic release.

Domestically, Wicked—which will be available for home viewers beginning December 31—has earned $424,230,535 domestically with an international box-office take of $210,148,000. The second half of the film, titled Wicked: For Good, will arrive in cinemas November 21, 2025. Will For Good break records next year? Check back on Playbill.com to find out.

It should be noted, however, when figures are adjusted for inflation, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews, is technically the highest-grossing musical adaptation of all time. The 1965 film grossed $159,484,051 worldwide, approximately $1.3 billion in today's figures.

READ: Behind the Broadway Cameos and the New Song in the Wicked Movie

Below, find the domestic, international, and worldwide grosses for a host of movie musicals released in cinemas since the turn-of-the-century.

The titles are numerous, so we made a few caveats. We didn't include Disney musicals, live filmed versions of Broadway shows (like the Waitress live stage capture), or original musicals (like La La Land).

Titles are listed in descending order based on worldwide grosses.

Wicked (2024)
domestic: $424,230,535; international: $210,148,000; worldwide (as of December 29): $634,378,535
budget: $150 million

Mamma Mia! (2008)
domestic: $144,290,968; international: $465,711,574; worldwide: $610,002,542
budget: $52 million

Les Misérables (2012)
domestic: $148,809,770; international: $293,489,539; $442,299,309
budget: $61 million

Chicago (2002)
domestic: $170,687,518; international: $136,089,214; worldwide: $306,776,732
budget: $45 million

Into the Woods (2014)
domestic: $128,002,372; international: $84,900,000; worldwide: $212,902,372
budget: $50 million

Hairspray (2007)
domestic: $118,946,291; international: $84,681,462; worldwide: $203,627,753
budget: $27.8 million

Dreamgirls (2006)
domestic: $103,365,956; international: $52,064,379; worldwide: $155,430,335
budget: $70 million

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
domestic: $51,293,931; international: $103,380,310; worldwide: $154,674,241
budget: $70 million

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
domestic: $52,898,073; international: $100,485,554; worldwide: $153,383,627
budget: $50 million

Annie (2014 remake)
domestic: $85,911,262; international: $50,942,244; worldwide: $136,853,506
budget: $65 million

West Side Story (2021 remake)
domestic: $38,530,322; international: $37,485,849; worldwide: $76,016,171
budget: $100 million

Cats (2019)
domestic: $27,166,770; international: $48,392,155; worldwide: $75,558,925
budget: $95 million

The Color Purple (2023)
domestic: $60,619,191; international: $8,200,000; worldwide: $68,819,191
budget: $100 million (estimated)

Jersey Boys (2014)
domestic: $47,047,013; international: $20,600,000; worldwide: $67,647,013
budget: $40 million

Rock of Ages (2012)
domestic: $38,518,613; international: $20,900,000; worldwide: $59,418,613
budget: $75 million

Nine (2009)
domestic: $19,676,965; international: $34,327,985; worldwide: $54,004,950
budget: $80 million

In the Heights (2021)
domestic: $29,975,167; international: $15,200,000; worldwide: $45,175,167
budget: $55 million

The Producers (2005)
domestic: $19,398,532; international: $18,676,786; worldwide: $38,075,318
budget: $45 million

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (2022)
not released domestically; international: $34,706,541; worldwide: $34,706,541
budget: $25 million

Rent (2005)
domestic: $29,077,547; international: $2,593,073; worldwide: $31,670,620
budget: $40 million

Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
domestic: $15,002,646; international: $4,130,808; worldwide: $19,133,454
budget: $28 million

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
domestic: $3,082,286; international: $577,795; worldwide: $3,660,081
budget: $6 million

The Last Five Years (2014, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
domestic: $145,427; international: $146,665; worldwide: $292,092
budget: $3.5 million

The Prom (2020)
not released domestically; international: $187,430; worldwide: $187,430
budget: undisclosed

tick, tick… BOOM! (2021, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
not released domestically; international: $112,777; worldwide: $112,777

The Fantasticks (2000, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
not released internationally; domestic: $49,666; worldwide: $49,666
budget: $55 million

Naked Boys Singing! (2007, based on the Off-Broadway musical)
not released internationally; domestic: $25,526; worldwide: $25,526
budget: undisclosed

Budget figures were gathered from BoxOfficeMojo.com and IMDB.