"Glicked" Delivers a Gravity-Defying Box Office Weekend
Theatrical audiences embraced the premieres of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” this past weekend, propelling the films to a combined $270 million worldwide debut and earning both critical praise and enthusiastic viewer scores.
Two of the most highly anticipated films of the year, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” delivered a combined $270 million in global box office revenue during their shared premiere weekend. Universal’s “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, led the charge with a domestic debut of $114 million and a global total of $164.2 million, breaking records for a Broadway musical adaptation. Paramount’s “Gladiator II,” helmed by Ridley Scott, followed with $55.5 million domestically and $50.5 million internationally, marking a solid opening for the epic sequel.
With an “A” CinemaScore and 90 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating, “Wicked” became the third-largest domestic opening of the year and the fourth-biggest start for a musical in history. Meanwhile, “Gladiator II” earned an 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, solidifying its position as a crowd-pleaser.
“This is a tremendous catalyst for a strong box office going into December and the new year,” said Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “It’s clear that when healthy competition meets premium experiences, the marketplace thrives, and consumers win.”
“The most entertaining film of the year.” Wall Street Journal
“Wicked” is a lavish adaptation of the first act of the beloved Broadway musical, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. The film explores the complex friendship between the misunderstood, green-skinned Elphaba and the ambitious Glinda as they navigate love, power and betrayal in the magical world of Oz.
With its 2-hour and 40-minute runtime, “Wicked” dazzles with stunning visuals, a star-studded cast and a heartfelt narrative. Critics have lauded its performances, particularly Grande’s and Erivo’s. Variety declared the film was, “Everything cinema should be,” while indieWire called Grande’s portrayal “perfection.”
“‘Wicked’ has become a phenomenon and demands to be seen on the big screen,” says Universal’s president of domestic distribution Jim Orr. “It’s very gratifying to see that no matter which age group or demographic you look at, audience scores are enthusiastic. We’ll have a phenomenal run into the new year.”
The film, which marks the beginning of a two-part adaptation, has already set the stage for its sequel, “Wicked: Part Two,” scheduled for release in 2025.
“With a movie this meticulously made, there's no way to not be entertained.” Entertainment Weekly
“Gladiator II” picks up years after the events of Ridley Scott’s original, following Lucius (Paul Mescal), the nephew of Maximus, as he grapples with the aftermath of his family’s legacy. The story pits him against the might of Rome’s emperors, forcing him to confront betrayal and reclaim honor for his people.
With a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes, “Gladiator II” features riveting performances from Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, supported by Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn. BBC.com praised it as “the best popcorn film of the year.”
For fans of musicals and epics alike, this cinematic double feature delivered an unforgettable weekend at the movies.
“Wicked” and “Gladiator II” are playing in theaters now and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.