"Wicked" earns $19 million in previews as "Gladiator II" aims for $200 million opening weekend
cnbc.com —
"Wicked" has earned $19.2 million in advance ticket sales ahead of its opening weekend, while "Gladiator II" has made $6.5 million from previews. Both films are expected to generate over $200 million in combined ticket sales this weekend. "Wicked" is projected to debut as the highest-opening Broadway adaptation, surpassing the previous record held by "Into the Woods." Its positive reviews and strong audience ratings suggest a successful run. "Gladiator II," arriving 24 years after the original, is also expected to perform well, with estimates of $60 million to $80 million for its opening weekend. The combined success of these films may help boost the overall box office, which is currently lagging behind last year's figures.