Universal's Bold Move with Wicked Films Pays Off

Universal took a big risk by splitting "Wicked" into two movies. This was a bold move, especially since musicals can be hit or miss with audiences. The studio spent a lot of money on making and promoting these films. But it seems the gamble paid off. The first "Wicked" movie did really well. It made over $758 million worldwide. That's a lot of money! Plus, it got 10 Oscar nominations. People loved it so much that they couldn't wait for the second part. When "Wicked: For Good" came out, it did even better than the first one. It made $150 million in the U. S. alone in its first weekend. Fans were excited to see the story continue. But not everyone was a fan. Critics liked the first movie more than the second one. The second film had a lower score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences still loved it. They gave it an "A" grade, just like the first movie. Universal did a lot to keep people interested in "Wicked" for two years. They had a special TV event and partnered with big brands. This helped keep the hype going. This success is a big deal because Hollywood hasn't had a hit musical in a long time. Other recent musical movies didn't do so well. But "Wicked" proved that people still love a good musical. Splitting a movie into two parts can be risky. Sometimes it works, like with "Dune. " But other times, it doesn't. Universal's strategy with "Wicked" shows that it can pay off if done right.