'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' Boost Box Office

'Wicked,' a film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, led the domestic box office with $114 million, marking the highest opening for a Broadway-based film and grossing $164.2 million globally, setting a new record for musicals. Meanwhile, 'Gladiator II,' directed by Ridley Scott and featuring Denzel Washington, debuted with $55.5 million domestically and $50.5 million internationally. The box office saw a significant boost over the weekend, with the two films collectively grossing approximately $270 million worldwide. This resurgence comes as a relief to theaters, which have faced declines since the pandemic. Despite the hype, the duo's impact, dubbed 'Glicked,' did not match the cultural phenomenon of last year's 'Barbenheimer.'