Globally, Wicked will see the biggest opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway adaption, ahead of Les Miserables ($103M); the 6 th biggest opening weekend of 2024 worldwide; and the 4th biggest opening weekend ever globally for a musical, ahead of The Little Mermaid ($163.6M).

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s "Wicked" is dominating Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington’s “Gladiator II” this weekend at the domestic box office.

Between them, the two very different Thanksgiving tentpoles are capturing almost every adult demo, reminiscent of Barbenheimer.

Wicked' is opening to $117M at the weekend box office, the best ever for a Broadway feature adaptation while 'Gladiator 2' is seeing $60M.

Wicked” and “Gladiator II” both drew less in Thursday previews than their “Barbenheimer” counterparts, but are still expected to help the fall box office.

Wicked and Gladiator II are both off to a strong start at the box office; however, it won’t be as big of an opening weekend as Barbenheimer. Wicked and Gladiator II are both now playing in United States theaters.

Wicked,' starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and 'Gladiator II,' starring Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal, both open wide this weekend.

Paramount Pictures Two very different, very anticipated movies are headed into theaters Friday, and some prognosticators say it could lead to a new “Barbenheimer” box office bonanza. Wicked and Gladiator II are Friday’s big openers,