Wicked and Gladiator II: A Box Office Powerhouse This Thanksgiving Weekend

Box Office Boost from “Wicked” and “Gladiator II“

The domestic box office is thriving with the release of Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II. Wicked earned $11 million in Thursday previews across 3,300 cinemas. This brings its total preview earnings to $19.2 million, including special advance screenings. Additionally, $2.5 million came from Amazon Prime screenings at 750 theaters on Monday, and $5.7 million from advance screenings on Wednesday at 2,000 theaters.

Director Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway musical features Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. It is projected to have one of the biggest opening weekends for a musical, potentially making between $85 million and $150 million. This is positive news for Universal, which is also planning a sequel, Wicked II, set to release next year.

Originally scheduled for November 27, Wicked moved its release date to generate buzz before Thanksgiving. This change also provides a buffer from Disney’s Moana 2, releasing on the same day and anticipated to have a record-breaking five-day holiday weekend.

Social media buzz suggests that Gladiator II and Wicked will attract both male and female audiences. Wicked holds an 89% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, while Gladiator II has a 72% rating.

Wicked tells the backstory of the witches from The Wizard of Oz, featuring Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Glinda. The film’s screenplay comes from Winnie Holzman, the book writer of the stage version, along with Dana Fox. Stephen Schwartz adapted the musical for the screen.

In Gladiator II, Paul Mescal portrays Lucius Verus II, the nephew of Emperor Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix in the original. Lucius returns to Rome after slavery. His goal is to seek revenge and restore Rome’s glory.