Which musical adaptation broke opening weekend records for its genre upon release in November 2024?

The highly anticipated musical adaptation that shattered opening weekend records for its genre upon its November 2024 release was "Wicked: Part One." This cinematic event, based on the beloved Broadway phenomenon, brought the untold story of the Land of Oz to the big screen, captivating audiences and setting new box office benchmarks.

"Wicked: Part One" premiered on November 22, 2024, achieving a remarkable $114 million domestically and over $164 million worldwide in its opening weekend. These figures established it as the highest-grossing global debut for a Broadway adaptation, significantly surpassing previous record holders like 2012's "Les Misérables." The film's success underscored the enduring popularity of the "Wicked" story, which serves as a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," exploring the origins of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good.

The film adaptation stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, under the direction of Jon M. Chu. Its release was a significant cultural moment, demonstrating the strong demand for musical films and adaptations of popular stage productions. The decision to split the narrative into two parts allowed for a comprehensive exploration of the intricate plot and character development that fans cherish from the original stage musical. The second part, "Wicked: For Good (Review)," is slated for release in November 2025.