“Wicked” and “Gladiator II” Dominate Box Office: The Next “Barbenheimer” Phenomenon?

Box Office Magic: ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Lead Weekend Sales

In a stunning display of box office prowess, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” dominated ticket sales this weekend, marking a significant resurgence in theater attendance. The simultaneous release of these highly anticipated films has drawn comparisons to last year’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, albeit with less cultural impact.

“Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, enchanted audiences with a domestic haul of $114 million and global earnings of $164.2 million. This performance not only secured the third-biggest opening weekend of the year but also set a new record for Broadway musical adaptations. The film’s success was particularly notable among female viewers.

Meanwhile, Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” featuring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, fought its way to a respectable $55.5 million domestically and $50.5 million internationally. Despite falling slightly short of predictions, the film’s performance is impressive considering its hefty $250 million production cost. The sequel found particular favor with male audiences.

Universal’s strategic timing for “Wicked” and Paramount’s extensive marketing efforts for both films, including a unique Colosseum Airbnb cross-promotion for “Gladiator II,” contributed to their success. The “Glicked” effect, while not as pronounced as “Barbenheimer,” still drove significant foot traffic to theaters.

Critics have warmly received “Wicked,” awarding it an “A” CinemaScore and positioning it as a potential Oscar contender. “Gladiator II,” while praised for its performances, received a “B” CinemaScore but shows strong international appeal.

This weekend’s success has injected optimism into the industry, with eyes now turning to upcoming releases like “Moana 2.” However, not all films shared the glory, with “Red One” underperforming at $13.3 million.

As “Wicked” prepares for an extended theatrical run and “Gladiator II” banks on international markets, the box office landscape appears vibrant once more, signaling a potential return to pre-pandemic levels of cinematic enthusiasm.