Strictly Business Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Soars to Fourth-Highest Opening of 2025; HBO Preps for Busy 2026 Amid WBD M&A Drama
Nov 24, 2025
Rebecca Rubin, a Variety journalist specializing in box office trends, reveals how Universal's bold decision to split 'Wicked' into two parts led to a record-breaking $150 million debut. Meanwhile, Jennifer Maas, a reporter focused on HBO and streaming, discusses the upbeat mood at HBO amid ongoing acquisition talks and shares insights on their exciting 2026 programming slate. They also explore HBO's innovative strategies for engaging audiences across platforms, like the new Harry Potter series and upcoming originals.
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Splitting A Blockbuster Can Pay Off
- Universal's decision to split Wicked into two parts transformed it into a multi-year event and reduced single-release risk.
- The two-parter amplified audience anticipation and delivered two big financial hits rather than one uncertain gamble.
International Interest Is Growing
- Wicked's second installment over-indexed overseas compared with the first film, indicating growing international recognition.
- Increased global demand suggests established properties can expand their footprint with sequels.
Premium Formats Fuel Big Openings
- Premium large-format screens continue to drive meaningful box office revenue for event films.
- Wicked for Good made $25 million in IMAX alone, showing audiences pay for theatrical experiences they can't get at home.