Wicked: For Good Sets New Box Office Records while Erivo and Grande's Oscar buzz grows.

This past weekend, the emerald glow of Wicked: For Good flooded movie theaters, signifying more than simply the return to Oz. It was an instant when reviewers, viewers, and business insiders all turned to look. With the assurance of a franchise that knows precisely what it's doing, the sequel shot to prominence in theaters, earning an incredible $228 million worldwide in its first weekend and immediately shattering box office records for musical adaptations. It was more of a cultural event than a film release.

As soon as Thursday night's theater lights went down, the sequel began to surpass its predecessor. Wicked: For Good made $68.6 million domestically by the conclusion of its first full day, a sum often saved for superhero movies or much anticipated franchise endings. And in a sense, that's just what this is: the last chapter of a cherished, two-part musical tale that has triumphantly appeared in theaters, on Broadway, and online.

However, box office success is not the whole story. The other half resides backstage, where the film's positive reviews are now keenly followed by award-season rumors. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the green and pink, the storm and the brightness, have formed the movie's award-winning heartbeat. People claims that both actresses—Erivo in the Best Actress category and Grande in the Supporting Actress category, where she is already being referred to as "almost guaranteed" a nomination—are significant Oscar prospects.

Wicked: For Good doesn't enter an empty field, but the awards scene is rarely straightforward. Erivo enters a competitive Best Actress race that features highly dramatic performances, which are often preferred by Academy voters. For Grande, the way seems more obvious. Many critics were taken aback by her portrayal of Glinda because they anticipated glitter but instead found emotional depth. What what appeared to be a casting risk now seems like a brilliant move.

Beyond the performances, though, is a more general question: is it possible for a musical blockbuster to succeed in the main Oscar categories? Award contests are notoriously difficult for sequels, and even more so for musicals. Pacing problems have already been noted by several reviews, who claim that the film's spectacle occasionally overshadows its narrative. Others, however, believe that its two-part structure—a gradual build to this spectacular finale—is exactly its strongest point.

The spectators' excitement indicates that Wicked's charm hasn't worn off. Not at all. The popularity of the sequel is a reflection of something more profound: expectation combined with familiarity. More significantly, people wanted to know how the narrative concluded and wanted to go back to Oz. The issue of whether the second movie will have the same emotional impact as the first setup has been around for a year.

We appear to have the solution.

Fans have been complimenting the film's last act on social media for its emotional clarity, polished musical numbers, chemistry between Grande and Erivo, and production size. Many people believe that the sequel is richer than its predecessor, feeling more grounded and resolved. Additionally, that emotional bond could give it momentum, which is essential during award season.

Industry observers are in awe of the movie's commercial success. In recent years, the box office performance of musical films, particularly those that are stage adaptations, has been inconsistent. However, Wicked: For Good completely rejects the tendency. Executives are currently seeing it unfold in real time, a bright green reminder that viewers will still turn up when a narrative grabs their interest. Just the ticket pre-sales hinted to a massive opening.

Of course, discussing the rivalry is an essential part of any current film plot. Action thrillers like Sisu: Road to Revenge and streaming releases like After the Hunt were among the smaller or more specialized movies on this weekend's release schedule, but none of them came close to the cultural significance of Wicked. Nobody anticipated a fight, but it wasn't fair.

As the dust settles following its spectacular launch weekend, Wicked: For Good finds itself at the nexus of prestige and commerce, a unique position reserved for movies that are both popular with audiences and have the potential to win awards. It has confidently, spectacularly, and heartily recaptured Oz for a new generation, regardless of whether it eventually wins Oscar nominations or not.

That type of enchantment might often be the greatest triumph of all.