Ariana Grande's 'Wicked' Premieres Today with Record-Breaking Ticket Sales

The highly anticipated musical film 'Wicked' (directed by Jon M. Chu) officially premieres today, November 20, in South Korea, marking its global debut. With impressive advance ticket sales and a staggering booking rate, the film is set to make a strong impact at the box office.

As of 11:40 AM on November 20, 'Wicked' has recorded 133,511 pre-sale tickets, achieving a remarkable booking rate of 38.8%. The film is performing exceptionally well across major multiplex chains, with CGV reporting a 38.6% booking rate, Lotte Cinema at 42.7%, and Megabox at 40.8%.

Both the original version and the Korean cast version of 'Wicked' will be screened, with the Korean cast version being notable for its release in all formats, including IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX, and Dolby, marking a first in dubbing history.

In North America, 'Wicked' is poised to dethrone 'Gladiator 2' as the new box office champion. With ticket sales soaring and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92% alongside a 99% audience score, the film is projected to surpass $100 million in opening weekend revenue.

The story of 'Wicked' follows Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), who is on a journey to understand her true nature. The film explores the unexpected friendship and adventures of these two very different characters as they face unforeseen challenges. The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, with Jon M. Chu, known for 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation,' 'Now You See Me 2,' and 'Crazy Rich Asians,' at the helm.