Move over, Barbenheimer! There’s a new box office duo in town, and they’re painting the town green and red. Universal’s ‘Wicked’ and Paramount’s ‘Gladiator II’ have stormed into theaters, giving movie-goers a reason to trade their streaming subscriptions for some good old-fashioned cinema magic.
‘Wicked’ has defied gravity (pun intended) with a jaw-dropping $114 million domestic opening weekend. That’s not just good; it’s the best debut ever for a Broadway adaptation on the big screen. To put it in perspective, that’s like selling out every seat in New York’s Gershwin Theatre for over 570 performances – in just one weekend! Globally, the film is set to rake in $164.2 million, proving that the story of Elphaba and Glinda has universal appeal.
Meanwhile, ‘Gladiator II’ entered the arena with a respectable $55.5 million domestic haul. While it didn’t quite hit the projected $60-80 million mark (hey, even Russell Crowe had off days), it’s still on track for a global total of $221 million. That’s enough denarii to build a few Roman colosseums, if you’re so inclined.
What does this mean for you, dear reader? Well, beyond giving you some excellent options for your next date night or friend hangout, it’s a sign that the movie theater experience is far from dead. In fact, with Disney’s ‘Moana 2’ on the horizon and strong presales already rolling in, it looks like we’re in for a blockbuster holiday season. So, whether you’re Team Wicked Witch or Team Gladiator (or both – we don’t judge), now’s the time to grab some popcorn and enjoy the show. After all, there’s nothing quite like the magic of the movies, especially when they’re breaking records left and right.
