The box office scene had some exciting surprises this weekend, with two major releases making headlines: Universal’s highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation, which earned a record-breaking $114 million in its opening weekend, and the sequel to the iconic Gladiator, Gladiator II, which started strong with $55.5 million. Both films show how diverse audience preferences are and how the film industry continues to thrive with a mix of musicals and historical epics. Let’s take a closer look at the results and what they mean for the future of blockbuster cinema.
Universal’s ‘Wicked’ Makes a Grand Entrance
The weekend’s big winner was undoubtedly Wicked, the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked took in an impressive $114 million in its opening weekend, setting a new benchmark for musical adaptations. Playing in 3,888 theaters across North America, Wicked captivated audiences, with many attending to relive the magic of the stage show that has been a fan favorite for years.
With ticket sales surpassing expectations, Wicked quickly became the third-biggest debut of 2024, right behind Deadpool & Wolverine ($211 million) and Inside Out 2 ($154 million). The musical adaptation’s success shows the power of nostalgia and beloved stories, with the Wicked brand drawing in fans from all age groups.
‘Wicked’: A Broadway-to-Silver Screen Phenomenon
The success of Wicked isn’t just about the numbers. This movie adapts the popular Broadway show that has delighted millions worldwide. The story centers on the friendship between Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch), with some backstory and a few new twists to appeal to moviegoers. It’s the first part of the two-part Wicked film series, and fans have waited over a decade for this movie to hit theaters.
Notably, nearly 75% of ticket buyers were women, with families making up a significant portion of the audience as well. This shows the broad appeal of the story and its ability to attract a diverse crowd, thanks to its heartwarming narrative and musical numbers like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular.”
Breaking Box Office Records
Wicked not only topped the box office charts but also made history. With $114 million, it secured the fourth-biggest opening for a musical film, surpassing Disney’s recent The Little Mermaid remake ($95.5 million). It’s also the biggest opening for a Broadway-to-film adaptation, far outstripping the 2014 film Into the Woods ($31 million).
To put this into perspective, this marks the largest debut for a musical film, even topping other successful titles like Frozen II ($130 million). These figures highlight how much demand there is for well-executed musical adaptations, especially those with strong brand recognition like Wicked.
The Global Impact of ‘Wicked’
Globally, Wicked didn’t just shine in North America—it earned an additional $50.2 million from international markets, pushing its worldwide total to $164.2 million. This marks the largest global opening for a film based on a Broadway show, surpassing Les Miserables, which grossed $103 million in 2012. With such an impressive worldwide performance, Wicked has set a new standard for the genre.
This success will likely open doors for other Broadway-to-film adaptations in the future, showing that musicals can not only thrive in theaters but can also connect with audiences around the globe.
‘Gladiator II’: A Strong Sequel Arrival
While Wicked dominated the box office, Gladiator II had a respectable opening of its own, pulling in $55.5 million from 3,573 theaters. Directed by Ridley Scott, the long-awaited sequel to the 2000 epic Gladiator takes the story forward two decades. It follows Lucius (played by Paul Mescal), the nephew of the original film’s villain, Commodus, as he battles for Rome’s glory in the Colosseum.
The film’s strong debut is impressive, although it fell short of some of the higher expectations for a sequel of such a beloved original. Still, Gladiator II has managed to capture the attention of male audiences, with the action-packed, bloody sequences resonating with fans who were eager to revisit the world of ancient Rome.
Audience Reaction to ‘Gladiator II’
Audience reactions to Gladiator II have been largely positive. The film scored a “B” on CinemaScore and received a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a solid but not overwhelming response. While the sequel has garnered praise for its action and visuals, it hasn’t quite captured the magic of the original Gladiator, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2001. Still, the film’s strong performance shows that there’s still a sizable fanbase for epic historical dramas, even in the modern box office climate.
The Relationship Between ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’
Unlike the unusual Barbenheimer phenomenon of 2023, where two completely different films (Barbie and Oppenheimer) boosted each other’s box office numbers, it’s unclear if Wicked and Gladiator II benefitted from each other. However, one thing is clear: both films did remarkably well in a weekend that saw about $210 million in total box office revenues.
This could be a case of effective counterprogramming. Wicked appealed to families and women, while Gladiator II catered more to action lovers and older male audiences. The result? A big weekend with something for everyone, and plenty of revenue to go around.
The Box Office Battle and Revenue Trends
In total, the box office raked in approximately $210 million this weekend, making it one of the biggest weekends of 2024. Even with the strong showings from Wicked and Gladiator II, there’s still work to be done for the overall 2024 box office. Year-to-date sales are 10.5% behind 2023’s numbers and 26.6% behind 2019. However, with big titles like Wicked, Gladiator II, and upcoming films such as Moana 2, the box office looks set to finish strong in the months ahead.
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The Return of Big Budget Musicals
Historically, big-budget musicals have had a tough time at the box office. Many recent musical adaptations, including Spielberg’s West Side Story and In the Heights, struggled to connect with audiences. However, Wicked has broken that trend. It’s clear that the film’s success lies in its strong brand recognition, a star-studded cast (including Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo), and a promotional push that included hundreds of brand partnerships.
The Rise of the ‘Wicked’ Franchise
With Wicked already proving to be a massive hit, attention is now turning to the second part of the film series, which is set for release in 2025. Fans are already buzzing with anticipation about how the story will continue, and given the strong reception of the first film, there’s little doubt that Wicked: Part Two will be another box office success.
The Cost of Making ‘Wicked’
Both Wicked and Gladiator II had hefty price tags. Wicked cost around $300 million to produce, and with its extensive marketing budget, it had a steep hill to climb at the box office. Similarly, Gladiator II had a budget exceeding $250 million, with another $100 million for marketing costs. However, both films’ strong performances are likely to ensure they recoup their costs and turn a profit.
Why ‘Gladiator II’ Wasn’t the Same Hit as Its Predecessor
While Gladiator II did well, it didn’t live up to the massive success of the original film, which grossed $465 million globally. Critics and audiences have praised the action but feel that the sequel lacks the depth and emotional impact of the first movie. Legacy sequels can be a tricky business—audiences are often skeptical unless there’s a strong reason to revisit the franchise.
The Future of the 2024 Box Office
Looking ahead, the box office in 2024 has some promising releases. Moana 2 is set to hit theaters at the end of November, which could be another blockbuster hit. With major releases like this, plus the ongoing success of Wicked and Gladiator II, the box office is poised for a strong finish to the year.
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Conclusion
This weekend’s box office results show the power of both new franchises and established brands. Wicked has proven that musicals can still succeed on the big screen, while Gladiator II has reminded audiences of the power of epic historical dramas. With strong showings from both films, the box office is on track for a solid end to 2024, and both films are expected to perform well throughout the holiday season.
FAQs
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What was the global box office total for ‘Wicked’ on its opening weekend?
- Wicked earned $164.2 million globally on its opening weekend.
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Did ‘Gladiator II’ meet expectations at the box office?
- While it made a strong $55.5 million in its opening, it fell short of some higher expectations for a legacy sequel.
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How does ‘Wicked’ compare to other Broadway-to-film adaptations?
- Wicked holds the record for the highest-opening weekend for a Broadway-to-film adaptation, surpassing Les Miserables.
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What’s the anticipated performance of ‘Wicked: Part Two’?
- Given the success of the first film, expectations are high for Wicked: Part Two when it releases in 2025.
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What makes a legacy sequel like ‘Gladiator II’ successful or not?
- Legacy sequels rely on both nostalgia and a compelling new storyline to succeed. Gladiator II has received positive reviews but didn’t quite capture the magic of the original.