Wicked earns $19.2 million in previews while Gladiator II takes in $6.5 million

The musical "Wicked" has earned $19.2 million in box office previews, significantly outpacing "Gladiator II," which made $6.5 million. "Wicked" benefited from early screenings, including $2.5 million from Monday and $11 million on Thursday. "Wicked" is expected to have one of the biggest opening weekends of the year, with projections ranging from $100 million to $130 million. This would set a record for the largest debut for a Broadway adaptation. "Gladiator II," directed by Ridley Scott, is projected to open with around $65 million. The film features a star-studded cast and has a production budget of $250 million, requiring strong box office performance to be considered successful.