'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' revive box office with $270M global debut

The global box office got a much-needed boost as Wicked and Gladiator II debuted to a combined $270 million in ticket sales.

Universal Pictures’ Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, dominated with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. The film marked the third-largest opening weekend of the year and set a record for Broadway musical adaptations.

Meanwhile, Paramount’s Gladiator II, a sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning film, earned $55.5 million domestically and $50.5 million internationally. Starring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, the film fell slightly short of predictions but garnered strong overseas numbers, bringing its global total to $87 million prior to its North American release.

Wicked has been well-received, with an "A" CinemaScore and Oscar buzz, particularly as it prepares for its sequel next year. In contrast, Gladiator II earned a "B" CinemaScore despite praise for Washington’s performance. Both films benefited from extensive marketing campaigns, including global ads and partnerships like Wicked dolls and an Airbnb promotion at the Colosseum for Gladiator II.

The films’ success comes as Hollywood braces for Moana 2's release, which could further bolster Thanksgiving box office totals.