‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Set to Dominate Thanksgiving Box Office with $200 Million Opening
The Thanksgiving weekend is off to a roaring start at the box office, with Universal's Wicked and Paramount's Gladiator II projected to rake in over $200 million in combined ticket sales. This one-two punch of cinematic releases promises to ignite a robust holiday season for theaters.
Universal’s Wicked, based on the smash-hit Broadway musical, has already amassed $19.2 million from early screenings. Advanced ticket sales include $2.5 million from Amazon Prime’s exclusive Monday event at 750 theaters and $5.7 million from midweek showings at 2,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. An additional $11 million came from Thursday previews, bringing projections for its opening weekend to an impressive $120-$140 million, with some analysts predicting it could soar even higher.
With Wicked receiving a 92% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 99% audience satisfaction score, it is on track to become the highest-opening Broadway adaptation in cinematic history. For comparison, Disney's Into the Woods previously held the record, opening with $31 million in 2014. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the film’s magnetic pull stems from its loyal fanbase and stunning musical legacy.
Meanwhile, Gladiator II has captured $6.5 million from Thursday previews, with opening weekend estimates ranging between $60 million and $80 million. Directed by Ridley Scott, this sequel arrives 24 years after the Oscar-winning Gladiator and aims to recapture the epic drama of its predecessor. While its critical reception has been more subdued, with a 73% “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the franchise's legacy and intense marketing campaign are expected to drive strong ticket sales.
The simultaneous release of these vastly different films has sparked comparisons to the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, where the contrasting tones of Barbie and Oppenheimer fueled cultural buzz and record-breaking box office returns. Dubbed "Glicked," this weekend's combination of pink-and-green fantasy with Roman grit offers audiences diverse cinematic escapism.
“The synergy between Wicked and Gladiator II has brought a much-needed boost to the box office,” noted Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango. “These films are setting the stage for a historic holiday corridor.”
Cinemas are maximizing the festive spirit with themed promotions, including Wicked-inspired pink-and-green candy popcorn and Gladiator II popcorn buckets shaped like the Colosseum. Major chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark are leaning into the excitement, offering exclusive merchandise and special drinks, from Wicked’s "Emerald Elixir" to Gladiator II’s gladiator-helmet drink holders.
With these two heavyweights leading the charge and Moana 2 set to release next week, industry experts anticipate a lucrative holiday season. This weekend alone is expected to generate $200-$250 million, marking a significant rebound for theaters as annual box office revenue trails 2023 levels by 11%.
“Wicked and Gladiator II are proving that audiences are eager for theatrical experiences,” said Greg Marcus, CEO of Marcus Theatres. “We’re seeing customers embrace the magic of the movies again.”
Whether audiences flock to Wicked’s magical melodies or Gladiator II’s high-stakes action, one thing is clear: this Thanksgiving weekend has revived the cinema-going tradition, setting a hopeful tone for the weeks ahead.