The film industry is buzzing with excitement as two highly anticipated movies hit theaters: Universal’s adaptation of Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II. Both films are poised to make waves at the box office, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday drawing near. Analysts are forecasting combined ticket sales of over $200 million for the weekend, making this one of the biggest cinema events of the holiday season.
Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, has already generated significant buzz, pulling $19.2 million from advance screenings earlier this week. This impressive haul includes $2.5 million from Amazon Prime members who attended special showings, $5.7 million from around 2,000 theaters on Wednesday, and another $11 million collected from standard Thursday night previews at approximately 3,300 locations. It’s worth noting this pre-weekend total is quite comparable to the advance ticket sales of other blockbusters like Barbie, which raked in $21 million before its launch this past July.
To put Wicked's success in perspective, early projections estimated it would open to around $80 million when tracking began late last month. Now, predictions have skyrocketed, with expectations ranging between $120 million and $140 million, and some forecasts even theorize it might break records for Broadway adaptations. Presently, the record for the biggest opening weekend for this category is held by Disney’s Into the Woods, which debuted with $31 million back in 2014.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the cinematic rendition of Wicked, especially considering it features powerful performances from renowned actresses, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. With strong reviews – it holds a 92% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and boasts a remarkable 99% score from verified movie ticket holders – expectations for this film are reaching fever pitch.
Meanwhile, Gladiator II is also making waves, having netted $6.5 million on Thursday alone. This sequel picks up 24 years after the original, which famously won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The new film features Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus II, along with co-stars such as Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla. With action-packed sequences and dramatic intensity, Ridley Scott’s production is set to capture the legacy of the first film.
On opening night, Gladiator II has garnered favorable reviews, obtaining a Fresh rating of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is anticipated to earn between $60 million and $80 million during its debut weekend. For comparison, the first Gladiator film had an opening weekend of $34.8 million back in May 2000.
The synergy between these two films has sparked excitement reminiscent of the earlier Barbenheimer phenomenon, where contrasting movies revitalized the box office. Commentators have playfully dubbed the mix of the musical fantasy Wicked and the action-packed Gladiator II as 'Glicked,' and hype is building across social media platforms.
Bringing Audiences Back to Theaters
The upcoming weekend is shaping up to be significant not only for these two films but also for the overall box office scene, which has been somewhat shaky this year. According to Fandango’s Shawn Robbins, these releases are anticipated to invigorate the holiday box office corridor, especially with Moana 2 set to premiere next week. "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are the kind of counter-programming duo moviegoers have been eagerly awaiting, with audiences ready to pack the theaters for the variety these films represent.
Movie theaters are implementing creative marketing strategies to draw audiences in with themed promotions. For example, Cinemark theaters are offering specially themed popcorn buckets shaped like the Colosseum, and AMC’s menu features candy-coated popcorn and drinks inspired by the vibrant colors associated with Wicked.
Even with industry struggles since the COVID-19 pandemic, the circumstances surrounding the release of both films signal potential recovery for theaters. Driven predominantly by IP-driven titles, the market has shown capacity for blockbuster musicals when they are coupled with cultural anticipation.
The excitement leading up to Wicked and Gladiator II is not merely about box office numbers. It’s about the shared experience of moviegoing; gathering with family and friends to enjoy stories told on the big screen. With the Thanksgiving holiday around the corner, these films are positioned to bring audiences back to theaters en masse.
What to Expect from Their Openings
Both films are projected to have long-lasting appeal over the holiday season. Thanks to strong word-of-mouth and favorable reviews, analysts believe they could see continued success throughout December. Not only do they stand to benefit from opening weekend sales, but they may also maintain momentum as families enjoy outings during the holiday break.
The numbers for the weekend could be comparable to past record-breaking moments at the box office. Tracking estimates predict audiences could generate total ticket sales between $200 million and $250 million when combining both films with others still showing from earlier this month.
Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the thrill of cinema. Both Wicked and Gladiator II are not just films; they are cultural events stirring discussions online and bringing fans together, united by the shared love for storytelling through moving pictures.
With consumers excited to step back inside the theater, industry insiders remain optimistic. “Whatever it hauls in during the weekend, ‘Wicked’ should debut as the highest-opening Broadway adaptation ever. That’s certainly something to celebrate,” said one box office analyst.
The overall annual box office still lags behind last year’s figures by about 11% during the same period, indicating the impact of these two films will be particularly beneficial. Their success could also provide goodwill for the industry heading forward, paving the way for future releases.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hyped about glittering performances from Wicked or the action-packed excitement of Gladiator II, the industry is ready for what these films bring to the table. Both are expected to usher audiences back to theaters during the holidays, showcasing the importance of making high-quality content accessible to audiences. With positive reviews and pre-opening excitement, both titles are set to defy expectations and may even carve their names within the box office history books.
The future of cinema seems bright as the industry gears up for not just this weekend but for future releases promising diverse storytelling and captivating experiences for all audiences.
