When "Wicked" made its debut at the domestic box office this weekend, it achieved a remarkable feat by raking in an estimated $114 million. This marked the highest cinematic opening for a Broadway adaptation, captivating audiences worldwide. With the highly-anticipated musical now available in theaters, fans are eagerly awaiting news on when it will be accessible to stream from the comfort of their homes.

Streaming Possibilities and Timing

While a specific streaming date has not been disclosed yet, it is highly likely that "Wicked" will land on Peacock. Given that it is distributed by Universal Pictures, and Peacock is owned by TODAY.com's parent company, NBCUniversal. According to Variety's report in 2021, Universal films can make their debut on Peacock as early as 45 days after their theatrical release. However, it's important to note that some Universal movies take longer than this timeframe. For instance, the Universal film "Oppenheimer" came out in theaters in July 2023 but only premiered on Peacock in February 2024. This uncertainty adds to the excitement and anticipation among fans.

Box Office Competition

During its opening weekend, "Wicked" faced tough competition from Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II." Both movies opened on Nov. 22 and achieved strong numbers at the box office. According to CNBC, "Wicked" beat out "Gladiator II" with an estimated opening of $114 million compared to $55.5 million for the latter. This shows the immense popularity and appeal of "Wicked" among moviegoers.

Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

The movie "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, two witches who form an unlikely friendship at Shiz University. Their performances have been widely praised, adding to the allure of the film. Before its opening, fans engaged in lively debates online about whether it would be appropriate to sing along to the movie's beloved songs during screenings. Grande and Erivo addressed this issue in a recent interview with NBC News. Erivo said, "I say if you come the first time and you sing through, sing through. But come a second time and let us sing to you." Grande added that she supports whatever makes fans happy but also joked about potential disruptions like popcorn throwing or phone usage.

Sing-Along Screenings

A Universal Pictures spokesperson has confirmed to NBC News that sing-along screenings of "Wicked" will debut in about 1,000 North American theaters starting Christmas Day. This gives fans the opportunity to experience the magic of the movie while singing along to their favorite songs. Once the movie makes its streaming debut, fans can continue to enjoy the music at home, belting out the tunes to their hearts' content.