Wicked Continues Dominating Streaming Charts Nearly a Year After Theatrical Release

Ariana Grande's record-breaking musical film "Wicked" has once again climbed to the top of global streaming charts, according to new data released this week. The movie, which premiered in theaters in November 2024, has proven to be an enduring phenomenon across both theatrical and digital platforms.

According to industry tracking, "Wicked" generated worldwide box office revenue of 758.83 million dollars as of May 2026, with the majority of that haul coming from North American audiences. The film's staying power has been remarkable, with multiple theatrical re-releases and a VOD release on December 30, 2024, extending its box office run well beyond typical release windows.

Sequel Success Builds on Original

The film's October 2026 resurgence on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video comes as anticipation builds for "Wicked: For Good," the sequel that premiered in São Paulo on November 4, 2025, and hit U.S. theaters on November 21, 2025. That second film grossed 540 million dollars on a 150 million dollar budget, becoming the second-highest-grossing Oz film and musical film adaptation of all time—both records behind only the first "Wicked" film.

Director Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical achieved several historic milestones, including the best opening weekend ever for a Broadway musical adaptation. The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, with both actresses reportedly receiving equal pay for their performances, though exact salary figures have not been disclosed.

Streaming Dominance

Entertainment industry analyst Jake Hodges noted in a Collider article published October 17, 2026, that "Wicked" had returned to streaming prominence despite being nearly two years removed from its theatrical premiere. The film's availability on platforms like Prime Video has introduced it to audiences who missed its theatrical run, while dedicated fans have rewatched it multiple times.

The success of "Wicked" has sparked renewed interest in musical film adaptations, with studios green-lighting multiple Broadway-to-screen projects. Universal Pictures, which distributed "Wicked," has already announced plans to adapt additional musical properties following the franchise's extraordinary financial performance.

Cultural Impact

Beyond box office numbers, "Wicked" has become a cultural touchstone, dominating social media discussions throughout 2025 and 2026. Grande's portrayal of Glinda earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, while Erivo's powerhouse vocals as Elphaba were praised as definitive interpretations of the iconic role.

The film's soundtrack remained on the Billboard 200 chart for 42 consecutive weeks following its release, a testament to the enduring popularity of Stephen Schwartz's score. Songs like "Defying Gravity" and "Popular" experienced streaming surges with each new platform release, introducing the musical to a generation that may have never seen the stage production.

As "Wicked" prepares for its home entertainment release on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD—originally released January 20, 2026—the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. With both films now available across multiple platforms, Universal's gamble on the two-part adaptation has paid off spectacularly, cementing "Wicked" as one of the most successful musical franchises in cinematic history.