Wicked and Gladiator II Set for Box Office Clash

Universal Pictures' 'Wicked' and Paramount's 'Gladiator II' are set to open this weekend, with 'Wicked' expected to dominate the box office with projections of $120 million to $140 million, while 'Gladiator II' is projected to earn between $60 million and $75 million. The simultaneous release has been dubbed 'Glicked,' encouraging fans to see both films for their differing genres and appeal. Theater owners are optimistic about the potential revenue, offering themed concessions and capitalizing on the excitement generated by these heavily marketed releases. The releases mark a crucial moment for cinemas, striving to draw audiences back post-pandemic. Additionally, the upcoming release of 'Moana 2' is expected to continue the trend of strong box office performance.