Gladiator IIhas achieved a significant domestic box office milestone despite stiff competition fromWickedandMoana 2. The Ridley Scott-directed sequel andWickedhad their domestic theatrical debuts on November 22, followed byMoana 2releasing on November 27. BothWickedandMoana 2’s box officehave already broken numerous records, includingWickedbecoming the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation andMoana 2having the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend debut of all time.
As perVariety,Gladiator IIhas now surpassed $100 million at the domestic box office, earning $111.2 millionby only its second weekend despite having to compete againstWickedandMoana 2.Gladiator IImade $30.7 million in its second weekend and $44 million over the five-day Thanksgiving period. In addition to this domestic milestone,Gladiator IIhas now earned $320 million at the worldwide box office. The sequel had a reported budget of $250 million, along with $100 million in marketing costs.
What This Means For Gladiator II’s Box Office
It Is An Impressive Milestone, But The Sequel Still Has A Ways To Go
Surpassing $100 million domestically in its second weekend is no easy feat, especially as the R-rated movie competes against the PG-rated, family-friendlyWickedandMoana 2. At the same time,Gladiator IIstill has further to go before breaking even with the $350 million production and marketing costs, let alone making a profit. The long-awaited sequel will need to continue performing well at the domestic and worldwide box office throughout December and even into January.
$111.2 million
$320 million
$262.4 million
$359.2 million
$221 million
$386.3 million
Gladiator IIsets upGladiator IIIand Scott has already begun writing a script for the franchise’s third installment. However,a third movie is unlikely to happen unlessGladiator IIends its theatrical run as a domestic and worldwide box office success story. It should help that there are no historical epics or action movies in the same vein releasing in December, which should helpGladiator IIcontinue to be the go-to movie in those genres for the time being.
Our Take On Gladiator II’s Box Office Milestone
Gladiator II’s Box Office Momentum Must Continue
WhileWickedhas made more thanGladiator II, the historical epic is still performing well. It is the kind of movie that could have a lengthy box office run if audiences continue to turn out for the sequel. The true test will be if the movie continues to be seen after the initial curiosity about the long-gestating sequel has faded.Gladiator IIwill not catchWickedorMoana 2, but it still has the potential to make a profit, andbe financially successful enough to expand the franchise withGladiator III.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
