Wicked Dominates Box Office with Record-Breaking $114M Debut, Gladiator II Follows with $55.5M
This weekend, audiences flocked to theaters for two major blockbusters, and the results are historic. Universal’s much-anticipated Wicked adaptation soared to the top of the box office with an astounding $114 million domestic debut. Meanwhile, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II claimed second place, bringing in a solid $55.5 million.
Wicked: A Magical Box Office Triumph
Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, transported fans to the land of Oz, capturing the backstory of Elphaba and Glinda before Dorothy’s iconic journey. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, set multiple benchmarks, including the fourth-highest opening for a musical ever, surpassing The Little Mermaid but trailing Frozen II. It also became the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation opening, dethroning 2014’s Into the Woods. Globally, Wicked collected an impressive $164.2 million over its debut weekend.
“It’s a juggernaut,” remarked David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research, emphasizing the film’s massive appeal. Critics and fans alike praised the movie, with its catchy soundtrack and stunning visuals earning an “A” CinemaScore and 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Universal’s president of domestic distribution, Jim Orr, declared, “Wicked has become a phenomenon and demands to be seen on the big screen.”
Gladiator II: A Strong But Not Spectacular Start
Meanwhile, Paramount’s Gladiator II reunited audiences with the world of ancient Rome, led by Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal. Though its $55.5 million debut fell slightly below expectations, the sequel performed significantly better internationally, amassing $221 million. Despite solid reviews (71% on Rotten Tomatoes), reactions so far haven’t match the original Oscar-winning Gladiator.
“[Legacy] sequels enjoy built-in awareness, but they need a creative reason to exist,” noted Gross. While Gladiator II enjoyed a strong start, it faces pressure due to its $250 million budget.
Biggest Box Office Weekend in 2024
Last weekend generated $210 million in total domestic revenues, one of the biggest of the year. Industry experts are optimistic, with Michael O’Leary, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, pointing out, “This is a tremendous catalyst for a strong box office going into December.”
Despite the box office’s impressive recent performance, media measurement company Comscore revealed that ticket sales remain lower than in previous years. Compared to 2023, this year’s ticket sales are 10.5% behind. It is also 26.6% lower than 2019.
However, with a strong lineup of holiday releases like Moana 2 and audiences enthusiastic responses to premium experiences, the box office has a chance to close the gap as the year wraps up.
