Box Office: 'Wicked' Will Remind Hollywood What It (Should Have) Learned From 'New Moon'

The $143 million opening weekend of the 'Twilight' sequel 15 years ago showed that a female-targeted tentpole didn't need men if it was popular enough with women.

As we wait to see if Wicked Part One opens closer to Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I ($122 million in 2014) or Frozen II ($130 million in 2019), the opening weekend (thus far playing 71% female) will likely be on par with the YA fantasy franchise flicks that have long crushed it in the pre-Thanksgiving slot. From Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ($90 million in 2001) to Frozen II ($130 million in 2019), this unofficial tradition was best personified by the $143 million opening 15 years ago this weekend of New Moon. The second Kristen Stewart/Robert Pattinson Twilight flick earned more on its opening day (a then-record $72 million) than Twilight’s $69 million opening weekend. It also should have ended the debate about whether big franchise flicks about/for/from women can play equally with the boy-friendly tentpoles. Because it should have “proven” that such films didn’t automatically need men if the ladies showed up.