WHAT'S HOT
‘Wicked’ Opens With $114M at the Box Office, Surpassing ‘Gladiator II’

Published
3 months agoon

Wicked is dominating pre-Thanksgiving weekend at the box office.
Universal’s live-action adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted at No. 1 with an estimated $114 million domestically, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
That figure makes it the third-biggest opening of the year, behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2, the Associated Press reports. It also sets a new record for a Broadway musical adaptation and ranks among the biggest opening weekends ever for a big-screen musical.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked has grossed $164.2 million globally.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s Gladiator II, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning 2000 film, is projected to open domestically with $55.5 million, according to THR. Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Fred Hechinger, the movie has already earned $165.5 million internationally.
There was speculation that the two major releases might recreate the Barbenheimer effect, referencing the simultaneous box office success of Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023. Nicknamed “Glicked” (a blend of Gladiator II and Wicked), the two films didn’t quite reach the domestic openings of Barbie ($162 million) and Oppenheimer ($82.5 million), but still performed strongly.
With Erivo starring as the green-skinned Elphaba and Grande as her pink-loving counterpart, Galinda (aka Glinda the Good), Wicked has already earned praise from critics, particularly for the performances of its lead actresses in these iconic roles. Part two of the adaptation is slated for release in November 2025.
Accompanying the film’s release is Wicked: The Soundtrack, which includes the movie’s 11 songs as well as a new orchestral track. The second half of the musical’s songs will be released with part two in 2025.
Mitchell Peters
Source link

Tank vs. Roach Livestream: How to Stream Premier Boxing Champions Live Online

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Brought Michelle Trachtenberg to Billboard’s Charts Thanks to Show’s Musical Episode

LISA One-Ups BLACKPINK Bandmate ROSÉ by Not Crying on ‘Hot Ones’: ‘I’ll Prove Her Wrong’

Taylor Lautner Decries ‘Cruel World’ After Selena Gomez Body-Shaming Comments: ‘You Can Never Please Everyone’

BRIT Awards: Ezra Collective and Jorja Smith Join Performer Lineup After Shaboozey Withdraws

Celebrity HipHop’s Next Up: Exclusive Interview with J Menace

Exclusive interview with Corey Miceli SuperHumanSociety

Humble Hefe: From Trials to Triumph in the World of Hip-Hop

Exclusive Interview with C.J. Brown

Celebrity HipHop’s Next Up: Exclusive Interview with Truth

MAF Teeski – Tips On How To Catch A Murder (Official Music Video)

Bloodhound Lil Jeff – Should of Saw It (Official Music Video)

Rich Gang – Tapout ft. Lil Wayne, Birdman, Mack Maine, Nicki Minaj, Future

bbno$ – check (official music video)

Gucci Mane – Preference [Official Music Video]
TRENDING


Tank vs. Roach Livestream: How to Stream Premier Boxing Champions Live Online
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through...


‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Brought Michelle Trachtenberg to Billboard’s Charts Thanks to Show’s Musical Episode
While known mostly for her numerous and diverse acting roles, Michelle Trachtenberg also made a notable impact on Billboard’s music...


LISA One-Ups BLACKPINK Bandmate ROSÉ by Not Crying on ‘Hot Ones’: ‘I’ll Prove Her Wrong’
LISA was determined to fare better than BLACKPINK bandmate ROSÉ on Hot Ones, with the former appearing on the web...


Taylor Lautner Decries ‘Cruel World’ After Selena Gomez Body-Shaming Comments: ‘You Can Never Please Everyone’
Taylor Lautner has no time for your body-shaming hate speech. The Twilight actor posted an Instagram Story on Wednesday (Feb....


BRIT Awards: Ezra Collective and Jorja Smith Join Performer Lineup After Shaboozey Withdraws
UPDATE (Feb. 27): The BRIT Awards has confirmed a surprise final performer addition to this Saturday’s ceremony, with Ezra Collective...