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Cinemas nationwide were packed this weekend as Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II collectively drove an estimated $177 million in ticket sales, outpacing all other films in a $209 million weekend total. This resurgence underscores the power of high-profile releases and the draw of immersive theatrical experiences. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results Record-Breaking Opening for Wicked Wicked, a cinematic adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical directed by Jon M.
Chu, captured audiences with a stunning $46.7 million Friday, including previews, and is on track for a $117 million three-day opening. Universal now projects a $165 million global debut, making it the tenth largest November opening in U.
S. history and the highest for a Broadway-based film, surpassing Into the Woods ($31 million). The film received an “A” CinemaScore, matching previous Broadway hits like Les Misérables and Chicago, and boasts a 90% positive rating and an 80% “definite recommend” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Universal attributed its success partly to generational appeal: “The moms who saw Wicked on Broadway in 2003 as kids are now bringing their own children to the cinema.” Solid Debut for Gladiator II Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, starring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, garnered $22 million on Friday and is set for a $60 million domestic opening weekend. The film, which cost $250 million to produce, has already crossed $130 million overseas, with its worldwide earnings likely to approach $200 million by the weekend’s close.
“This is shaping up to be Ridley Scott’s biggest opening at the domestic box office,” said one industry analyst. Gladiator II scored a “B” CinemaScore compared to the original film’s “A”, but audience feedback remains strong with an 84% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a solid four-star PostTrak score. Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr.
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At B&B Theatres, Roman guards greeted guests and served Gladiator II-themed cocktails like "Strength & Honour". Meanwhile, Alamo Drafthouse offered Wicked-inspired beverages such as "Defying Gravi-Tea" and hosted Emerald City-themed events. Marcus Theatres featured character appearances by Elphaba and Glinda alongside themed pink and green ICEEs.
“Theatre managers are just pulling titles off showtimes and giving them to these two films,” said a theatrical booker. “Everyone below Wicked and Gladiator II is getting crushed.” A Look at the Audiences Wicked has drawn a predominantly female audience (72%), with 32% of viewers aged 25-54, the largest demographic.
Diversity metrics show the audience as 54% Caucasian, 21% Latino and Hispanic, 13% Black, and 8% Asian. The film is performing best in the East but remains strong nationwide, with AMC Universal CityWalk recording $197,000 in earnings so far. Gladiator II, by contrast, attracted a slightly male-skewed audience (61%), making it a popular date-night film.
It is performing strongest in the South-Central and Western U.S., with AMC Lincoln Square leading box office receipts at $74,000.
The Holiday Boost This weekend’s success coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday period, which typically sees a surge in cinema attendance. According to Comscore, school closures will peak midweek, driving more families to theatres. Black Friday, historically one of the highest-grossing days of the year, is expected to further bolster ticket sales.
Wicked marks a significant achievement for Universal, given the production’s $150 million budget. The film’s runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes did not deter audiences, who filled 248,000 showtimes across 3,888 theatres. Its robust marketing campaign has been compared to major Disney efforts, with fan screenings and Amazon promotions generating $19.
2 million ahead of its official release. Gladiator II, at 2 hours and 28 minutes, is Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sequel to his 2000 Oscar-winning epic. The film builds on the legacy of the original while appealing to a modern audience, driven by star power and premium-format screenings.
Imax and PLF screens contributed to 32% of its domestic revenue. Together, the two films have revitalised the November box office, which had seen year-to-date revenue reach $7 billion as of November 17. Industry observers are optimistic that the momentum from Wicked and Gladiator II will help close the year strong, with potential to surpass 2023’s $9 billion total.
As Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II continue to dominate, their success highlights the enduring appeal of theatrical releases. With strong audience reception, creative promotions, and the holiday season ahead, both films are set to remain box office powerhouses well into December. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024 (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ).
