Wicked and Gladiator 2 both soared at the box office this week with some fascinating results both domestically and worldwide. Many are comparing the apparent success of both films to the Barbenheimer phenomenon from summer 2023 that saw both Barbie and Oppenheimer achieve critical and commercial success at the same time. That’s why so many are calling this clash Glicked.
While Wicked easily took the top box office spot domestically, it lost out to Gladiator 2 in the international box office, demonstrating a disconnect between US and foreign markets. What makes this even more interesting is that, while the film opened in the US this week, Gladiator 2 was in its second weekend internationally and still managed to upend the Broadway musical adaptation.
A Screenshot of Ariana Grande From the Wicked Movie Trailer, YouTube – Universal Pictures
That’s not to discount what Wicked accomplished this weekend. The film saw a massive $164.2 million global take at the box office. That includes $114 million in North America and $50.1 million from overseas markets.
Wicked also hasn’t opened yet in major markets like Japan and China. However, given its subject matter, it’s questionable whether the Chinese market will support the film.
This was the biggest opening ever for a movie based on a Broadway show and the fifth biggest opening for a musical.
Paul Mescal as Lucius in Gladiator II (2024), Paramount Pictures
READ: Snow White Trailer Blasted by Former Disney Imagineer, Dubbed ‘Unwatchable’
Gladiator 2 pulled in $106 million this weekend, with $55.5 million domestically and $50.5 million internationally. But it erupted onto the scene last weekend with an international take of $87 million before performing strong during the week. The film currently has a worldwide total of $221 million.
There are a few factors to note here.
For starters, Wicked Part 1 cost the studio $150 million to make. So, in a single weekend, the film has made its production budget back. This, however, doesn’t make the movie profitable. When you factor in the movie’s massive press tour and ad campaign along with theater cuts of ticket sales, Wicked will need to hang onto its momentum for several weeks to achieve profitability.
On the other side of the coin, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 had a bloated budget of $250 million. In two weekends the film hasn’t made that money back yet. And while it had a smaller promotional tour that cost Paramount around $100 million, there’s still a lot of ground to cover if it has any hope of making its money back.
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the trailer for the Wicked movie, YouTube – Universal Pictures
READ: Marvel Wants Rachel Zegler for an Unidentified Role, What is Kevin Feige Thinking!?
Wicked is an adaptation of the Broadway play of the same name. It was separated into two films, Wicked: Part 1 and Wicked: Part 2. Each had a production budget of $150 million, making a total budget of $300 million for the whole story. Wicked: Part 1 ends at the end of the plays first act, with the song Defying Gravity sung by the two lead characters, Elphaba and Glinda, played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande respectively. Wicked: Part 2 is expected in theaters for November 2025.
Paul Mescal as Lucius and Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II (2024), Paramount Pictures
Gladiator 2 is a direct sequel to Gladiator, the 2000 Russel Crowe action epic. Director Ridley Scott helmed the first film and returned to direct the sequel as well.
Both films received critical praise, with fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and audiences.
Wicked currently has a 90% review score from critics and a 97% audience score. Gladiator 2 has a critic score of 71% and an audience score of 84%.
Have you seen either Wicked or Gladiator 2? Which do you think will ultimately win out in the box office? Sound off and let us know your thoughts!
UP NEXT: Disney Reportedly Sours on Dana Walden as CEO in Fear of Trump Blowback
