“Wicked” Wins USA TODAY’s Inaugural Movie Meter Competition

Rhea-AI Summary

USA TODAY, a Gannett Co. (NYSE: GCI) publication, has announced Universal Pictures' 'Wicked' as the winner of its first-ever Movie Meter competition. The program, designed to measure public sentiment for Academy Award-nominated films, ran from February 12 to March 3, 2025.

Based on thousands of votes from Movie Meter panelists who rated theatrical trailers of nominated films on a 1-5 scale, 'Wicked' secured the top position with a score of 3.76. The top five films included 'A Complete Unknown' (3.72), 'Conclave' (3.65), 'The Brutalist' (3.59), and 'The Substance' (3.53).

USA TODAY reaches approximately 73 million unique visitors monthly across its digital platforms (as of December 2024), serving as a cornerstone of national media since 1982.

Positive

• Launch of new Movie Meter program expands USA TODAY's entertainment content offerings
• Digital reach of 73M monthly unique visitors demonstrates strong audience engagement

Negative

• None.

NEW YORK, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- USA TODAY, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), announced Universal Pictures’ “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, as the winner of the inaugural USA TODAY Movie Meter competition. The Movie Meter program serves as a tool to gauge the public sentiment surrounding the year’s acclaimed films. “Wicked” is the untold story of the witches of Oz, based upon the popular Broadway musical. The film explores the power of friendship, acceptance and standing up for what is right, set to a soundtrack of beloved songs performed by Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and a star-studded cast.

USA TODAY Movie Meter panelists rated the 10 films nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the ‘Best Film’ category for the Academy Awards from February 12 to March 3 at 1:00 a.m. EST. Movie Meter registrants had the theatrical trailers available for viewing and rated all the eligible films on a scale from one as the lowest to five as the highest. Based on thousands of votes, the film with the highest average rating was named the winner.

The top five films, as rated by the 2025 USA TODAY Movie Meter panelists are:

1. “Wicked” – Score: 3.76
2. “A Complete Unknown” – Score: 3.72
3. “Conclave” – Score: 3.65
4. “The Brutalist” – Score: 3.59
5. “The Substance” – Score: 3.53

“Congratulations to the cast, crew and Universal Pictures for ‘Wicked’ winning USA TODAY’s inaugural Movie Meter as ranked by the public. This program delivers on our mission to provide our audiences with the content and experiences they crave,” said USA TODAY Senior Vice President, Monica Richardson. “The continued success of Movie Meter will further cement USA TODAY as the nation’s source for entertainment news and more.”

For more details about the USA TODAY Movie Meter results, visit https://moviemeter.usatoday.com.

ABOUT USA TODAY

Since its introduction in 1982, USA TODAY has been a cornerstone of the national media landscape under its recognizable and respected brand. It also serves as the foundation for our newsroom network which allows for content sharing capabilities across our local and national markets. Through USA TODAY, we deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Across our digital platforms we reach an audience of approximately 73 million unique visitors each month (based on December 2024 Comscore Media Metrix®).

ABOUT GANNETT

Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.

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Source: USA TODAY

FAQ

What was the winning score for 'Wicked' in USA TODAY's Movie Meter competition?

'Wicked' achieved a score of 3.76, the highest among all nominated films.

How long did USA TODAY's Movie Meter voting period last?

The voting period ran from February 12 to March 3, 2025, at 1:00 a.m. EST.

How many unique monthly visitors does USA TODAY (GCI) reach through its digital platforms?

USA TODAY reaches approximately 73 million unique visitors monthly across its digital platforms (December 2024 data).

What were the top 5 films in USA TODAY's Movie Meter rankings?

The top 5 were: Wicked (3.76), A Complete Unknown (3.72), Conclave (3.65), The Brutalist (3.59), and The Substance (3.53).