Universal’s Wicked achieved strong domestic box office success, setting records as the largest 2024 opening for a non-sequel film. It also reached key milestones for a Broadway musical adaptation. The film performed well globally, showcasing its widespread appeal. Meanwhile, Paramount’s Gladiator 2 excelled internationally, gaining traction in major overseas markets and solidifying its global presence.
Wicked beats Beetlejuice 2 for 2024’s third best domestic box office opening
Universal’s Wicked earned $114 million domestically during its opening weekend, surpassing Beetlejuice 2’s $111 million to become the third-highest domestic debut of 2024 (via Box Office Mojo).
Globally, Wicked garnered $164.2 million, marking the best global opening for a film based on a Broadway musical adaptation. The film also set multiple records, including the biggest domestic opening for a non-sequel film in 2024 and the largest domestic and global debut for stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (via Deadline). Wicked achieved $19.2 million in domestic previews alone, further cementing its record-breaking performance.
Gladiator 2 dominates at overseas box office
Paramount’s Gladiator 2 amassed $165.5 million from international markets over two weekends, contributing to a global total of $221 million (via Deadline).
Its North American debut of $55.5 million added to its robust global performance, with key international markets such as the UK and France driving its success. The sequel achieved significant milestones, including the best overseas opening for a Ridley Scott-directed film in 2024. In Imax formats, Gladiator 2 contributed $12 million internationally, highlighting the film’s appeal in premium viewing formats.
Wicked and Gladiator 2 collectively dominated the pre-Thanksgiving weekend box office, reportedly combining for a total of $205 million globally. Their successes highlight the enduring audience interest in diverse genres, with Wicked capturing family and musical enthusiasts and Gladiator 2 appealing to historical action fans. Their continued success will depend on holiday legs and competition from upcoming releases such as Moana 2.
