‘Wicked’ Achieves Historic Milestone as Broadway’s Highest-Grossing Week

In a record-shattering performance, Wicked brought in an astonishing $5 million during the lucrative holiday week, setting a new benchmark as the highest weekly gross in Broadway history. The beloved musical, which has captivated audiences since its debut in 2003, achieved this milestone with nine performances instead of the typical eight, showcasing its enduring appeal and dominance in the theatrical world.

The $5 million haul represents a $2 million increase over the prior week, with an average ticket price of $290.61. The surge in popularity comes amidst renewed interest in the musical, fueled by the buzz surrounding its upcoming film adaptation. Additionally, the week between Christmas and New Year’s traditionally draws larger crowds to Broadway, further contributing to the record-breaking figures.

While Wicked led the pack, other Broadway stalwarts also saw remarkable success. The Lion King, which also performed nine shows, grossed $4.2 million, and Aladdin followed with $2.81 million. The Great Gatsby, a newer entry to the Broadway scene, earned $2.62 million, breaking the box office record for nine shows at the Broadway Theatre. Meanwhile, Hamilton managed to pull in $2.93 million with an eight-show week, securing its place as the third-highest grossing production.

Several productions celebrated breaking their own records during this high-performing week. The Outsiders achieved its 10th record-breaking week at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, earning just over $2 million from eight performances with an average ticket price of $239.96. Elf The Musical also had a standout week, grossing $2.2 million at the Marquis Theatre, setting a new high for the production.

Despite the financial highs, Broadway wasn’t without challenges. Illness impacted several shows, most notably Gypsy, which had to cancel seven of its planned eight performances. The single performance brought in $280,095, underscoring the resilience of productions even in the face of setbacks.

Overall, Broadway’s box office for the week was up nearly 23 percent compared to the same week last season, when Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve coincided. With the season’s total grosses already up by more than 16 percent compared to last year, Broadway is poised for a strong close to the 2024-25 season.

As audiences continue to flock to theaters, this holiday season underscores Broadway’s enduring magic and its ability to draw record-breaking crowds, proving that live theater remains a cherished cultural cornerstone.