Wicked and Gladiator II set to debut together in theaters as Glicked phenomenon emerges

This weekend, the films "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" will open simultaneously in theaters, sparking interest in a new cultural phenomenon dubbed "Glicked." This follows the success of the "Barbenheimer" trend from last year, where two contrasting films boosted each other's box office performance. Theaters are promoting the double feature with themed events and merchandise. "Wicked" is expected to earn around $100 million, while "Gladiator II" is projected to bring in about $65 million, for a combined total of $165 million. Unlike "Barbenheimer," which exceeded expectations, "Glicked" faces challenges, including differing audience interests and higher production costs. However, the focus has shifted from competition to celebrating both films, with hopes that audiences will engage with both releases.