26 Nov - As was predicted, both "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are making banks as they premiered in the US on 22 November. The two movies, which fans are now calling by the tandem "Glicked", seemed to repeat similar viral competition previously between by "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" (aka "Barbenheimer"), with "Wicked", starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, leading the race with an estimated USD 114 million in its three-day opening in the US. It has also accumulated 164.2 million globally.
Meanwhile, "Gladiator 2", which has already made bank internationally last week prior to its US premiere, made USD 55.5 million at the US box office. It has now earned USD 221 million globally. "Wicked" has already broken several records in its opening weekend, including becoming the biggest global and domestic opening for a movie based on a Broadway show (besting "Les Miserables" USD 103 million global opening), biggest global opening for a non-sequel film of 2024, besting China's "YOLO" at USD 112 million. It is also the biggest US opening for a pop star, with Ariana Grande besting stars like Lady Gaga ("A Star is Born"), Harry Styles ("Don't Worry Darling") and Britney Spears ("Crossroads").