Wicked and Gladiator II earn over $25 million on opening night

Wicked and Gladiator II both opened on the same weekend, a rare occurrence for major films. Wicked earned $19.2 million in its Thursday previews, while Gladiator II brought in $6.5 million. Together, they generated over $25 million. Wicked's strong opening positions it alongside successful films like Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Barbie, which grossed over $1 billion. Its popularity suggests it may attract repeat viewings. Gladiator II is expected to reach around $60 million for its opening weekend, comparable to other successful films. This indicates that major releases can coexist without significantly impacting box office performance.