LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23 -- Universal's Thanksgiving tentpole Wicked: For Good is on course for a record-breaking debut, raking in over US$151 million in North America and US$228 million globally, industry analysts say.

Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the female-led musical adaptation of the iconic Broadway hit topped Friday's North American chart with US$68.7 million from 4,115 theatres, including US$30.8 million from previews.

The Hollywood Reporter reported that audiences have responded enthusiastically, giving the film an A Cinemascore and a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film is the second instalment in his ambitious big-screen adaptation of the untold st...