"Wicked" fever is here with Starbucks drinks and movie merch
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Target has started adding "Wicked" merchandise to stores and plans to add more closer to the movie's debut. Photo: Courtesy of Target
Weeks before "Wicked" flies into movie theaters, promotions for the film are starting to pop up everywhere from grocery stores to Starbucks and beyond.
Why it matters: "Wicked" is on track to have one of the biggest opening weekends of 2024 with first-day ticket presales on Fandango trailing only "Deadpool & Wolverine," according to NBCUniversal.
- The "Wicked" product collaborations are rolling out ahead of the busy holiday shopping season, which can be make-or-break for retailers and brands.
"Wicked" movie release date and presale tickets
The big picture: The movie, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, is scheduled to be released on Friday, Nov. 22 — a week before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
- Tickets are being sold by Fandango and theaters.
- Wicked Part Two is set for Nov. 21, 2025.
Starbucks launches Wicked drinks, cups coming
Zoom in: The Starbucks duo of Wicked drinks that come out today mark the first time the coffee giant has ever released drinks inspired by a film, the company told Axios.
- Glinda's Pink Potion is a Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresher beverage with coconut milk, ice and a scoop of freeze-dried dragonfruit. It's then topped with nondairy strawberry cold foam and finished with colorful candy sprinkles that Starbucks labels an "Oz-dusting of magic."
- Elphaba's Cold Brew has Cold Brew, sweetened with peppermint-flavored syrup, topped with nondairy matcha cold foam and green candy sprinkles.
Kelly's taste test: Axios had an early taste of the two colorful drinks and fell in love with the interesting combination of peppermint and matcha as well as coconut and freeze-dried dragonfruit.
- I think Glinda's Pink Potion will be the more popular drink of tweens, teens and millennials.
What's next: Starbucks plans to release Wicked-inspired drinkware starting Nov. 7 in select stores.
Target Wicked collection includes Stanley tumblers
Target announced plans to be the "ultimate fan destination" for "Wicked" in early October and said it would have the "largest assortment of retailer-exclusive products."
- The retailer said it would have more than 150 movie-inspired products with nearly 70% only at Target.
- Exclusive products include an apparel and accessories line by the film's costume designer Paul Tazewell, Mattel's Elphaba Singing Doll, limited-edition Stanley Quenchers and a special version of the soundtrack on vinyl.
Zoom out: Limited-edition Stanley releases have a reputation for causing long lines and there have been some reports of chaos at Target stores for the Oct. 13 release.
Ulta Wicked collab
Ulta Beauty, the nation's largest beauty retailer, launched a multi-branded "Wicked"-themed set at all stores Oct. 6.
More Wicked products
Zoom out: Crocs, Vera Bradley, Beis, Swarovski, Lego, Kipling and Loungefly are also on NBCUniversal's long list of product collaborations.
- Additional retail partners include Aldo, Amazon, Bloomingdales, Kohl's, H&M, JCPenney, Primark and Walmart.
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