Wicked, Gladiator II Opening Weekend Box Office Numbers Are In (and It’s Not Close)

As a longtime cinephile with over three decades of moviegoing under my belt, I must say that this weekend’s box office race between “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” is shaping up to be quite an exciting spectacle! Having seen both films, I can attest that they cater to very different audiences, but each offers its unique charm.

According to recent predictions from Deadline, the musical film “Wicked” is expected to outperform “Gladiator II” in this weekend’s box office race. On its opening day, “Wicked” earned an impressive $46.7 million within the U.S., and it is projected to rake in a total of $117 million over the weekend. In comparison, “Gladiator II,” directed by Ridley Scott, made $22 million on its first day domestically and is estimated to earn approximately $60 million for the weekend. Deadline points out that this weekend’s new releases are overshadowing the holdover films.

Completing the top five list we have last week’s winner, Red One ($13 million), the latest entrant Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. ($4.6 million), and Venom: The Last Dance with $4 million.

Theaters had high hopes that the releases of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” would deliver a powerful one-two punch, revitalizing the market. However, so far, this fall box office has been relatively disappointing. For a while, “Venom: The Last Dance” reigned for three consecutive weekends, primarily due to the weak competition it faced initially; unfortunately, its third installment turned out to be its franchise’s lowest-grossing film. “Joker: Folie á Deux,” the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster hit “Joker,” flopped. “Red One” surpassed its low expectations, but even so, it only opened with $34 million domestically.

Apart from satisfying an unmet demand, both “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” were warmly welcomed by viewers, a factor that often boosts their performance at the box office. Although “Gladiator II” has faced some criticism for delivering more of the same, it still maintains a 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “Wicked”, on the other hand, received an even higher accolade with a 89% score. Critics and audiences alike agree that these movies are worth experiencing in theaters, as evidenced by their strong turnout.

It’s no wonder that “Wicked” outshines “Gladiator II“. Since it’s based on the well-known musical, “Wicked” is an ideal choice for family entertainment during the holiday season, making it popular with a wide range of people. On the other hand, “Gladiator II” secures its R rating due to intense and violent action scenes, which narrows its intended audience. However, despite their different target demographics, both movies could share theater space successfully. This weekend might not reach the popularity of last summer’s Box Office hit, “Barbenheimer,” but it provides a pleasant addition to multiplexes by offering something for all ages.

It’s intriguing to watch how well both “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” perform in the long run. The box office is gearing up for a busy Thanksgiving weekend with the debut of “Moana 2”, the sequel to the popular Disney animated film. The first “Moana” earned $643.3 million globally and received critical acclaim, making its sequel one of the most anticipated films this year. “Moana 2” might potentially cut into the ticket sales of “Wicked”; it could even be a more appealing choice for families due to its shorter duration. On the other hand, “Gladiator II” doesn’t have any direct competition this weekend, but it will need strong box office performance given its substantial production budget. Whether it turns a profit may hinge on audience reactions and its performance in foreign markets.

2024-11-23 23:17

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