This past weekend, the box office finally found its groove, with two blockbuster debuts—”Wicked” and “Gladiator II”—raking in a combined $270 million worldwide. The impressive numbers mark a much-needed win for theaters, still striving to regain pre-pandemic momentum.
Wicked Soars with Record-Breaking Debut
Jon M. Chu’s musical spectacle, “Wicked,” delivered a show-stopping opening, earning $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. It became the third-biggest opening of the year, surpassed only by “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2.” With a female-driven audience (72% of ticket buyers), the Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo-led adaptation proved to be a record-breaker for Broadway-to-screen adaptations.
Critics and audiences alike are enchanted, with glowing reviews and an “A” CinemaScore. The film’s ambitious 2-hour-and-40-minute runtime didn’t deter its success, hinting at a long, lucrative run through the holidays. Producers have already banked on the musical’s magic, splitting the story into two films, with the second part set for release next November.
Gladiator II Brings the Action, and the Men
Ridley Scott returned to the Coliseum with “Gladiator II,” the long-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning 2000 epic. Led by Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, the film earned $55.5 million domestically and $50.5 million internationally for a global tally of $106 million.
Though slightly under domestic expectations, international markets have embraced the film, with total overseas earnings of $165.5 million since its staggered release. While audiences awarded the sequel a lukewarm “B” CinemaScore, Denzel Washington’s charismatic performance has received widespread acclaim.
“Glicked” vs. “Barbenheimer”
The dual release of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” sparked inevitable comparisons to last year’s viral “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. Dubbed “Glicked,” this cinematic clash lacked the meme-worthy impact of its predecessor. Few fans opted for double features, and the individual films didn’t match the record-breaking domestic numbers of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” Still, analysts credit the parallel releases for creating a competitive yet complementary box-office boost.
Marketing Spectacles
Both films leaned heavily on elaborate marketing strategies. Universal Pictures tapped into 400 global brand partnerships for “Wicked,” creating buzz with themed Starbucks drinks, Met Gala tie-ins, and collectible Mattel dolls. Meanwhile, Paramount went big for “Gladiator II,” including a bold cross-promotion with Airbnb featuring the Roman Colosseum.
A Sluggish Box Office Gets a Lifeline
Heading into the weekend, box-office revenue for 2023 was down 11% from last year and 25% from pre-pandemic levels. Thanks to “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” theaters enjoyed one of their busiest weekends of the year.
With “Moana 2” hitting theaters midweek, Hollywood hopes for a historic Thanksgiving surge, signaling a promising close to 2023.
Weekend Box Office Rankings (U.S. and Canada):
Wicked – $114 million
Gladiator II – $55.5 million
Red One – $13.3 million
Bonhoeffer: Pastor Spy Assassin – $5.1 million
Venom: The Last Dance – $4 million
While “Red One” struggled to recoup its hefty $250 million production costs, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” stand poised to extend their success into the holiday season, proving the magic of musicals and epic battles still captivates moviegoers.
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