“Glicked” — the simultaneous release of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” — was likely to usher fans of both franchises to cinemas. But just how profoundly both films dominated the box office this past weekend demonstrates the power of Black-led Hollywood tentpole films.
According to Box Office Mojo, “The Wizard of Oz” prequel powered its way to the No. 1 spot with a $114 million domestic opening. Considering that the film’s stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, were literally everywhere promoting its release, we can’t be too surprised that some moviegoers were curious about the movie that made them so emotional.
If you don’t regularly follow opening box office numbers, this may seem like it’s just another established title enjoying a big debut weekend. While some of that might be true, musicals are unpredictable at the box office. And a musical starring a Black woman is even more unpredictable.
According to Deadline, the film broke multiple box office records, including surpassing “Les Miserables’” $103 million as the biggess=t worldwide opening for a film based on a Broadway musical, as well as the record set by “Into the Woods’” $31 million domestic opening. Its huge weekend also made it the third biggest domestic opening of 2024, coming in behind “Deadpool & Wolverine’s” $211 million and “Inside Out 2’s” $154 million.
Erivo’s casting courted some harassment and unfair coverage in the lead up to the film’s release, so it’s fantastic to see her talent vindicated by all this success.
As if that wasn’t enough Black Excellence at the movies, Denzel Washington’s epic sequel “Gladiator II” came in at No. 2 with $55 million. Right now, the action drama has a worldwide total of $221 million. Like “Wicked,” this movie is fueled by name recognition and an established fanbase.
But let’s be honest, the one thing fans have been talking about the most ahead of its release is seeing the Oscar winner as a captivating, clever Black man trying to take over Rome.
In case all this box office success isn’t exciting enough for you, this won’t be the end of Black actors dominating the box office, because Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprises his role as the voice of Maui in the animated sequel “Moana 2,” which hits theaters Wednesday (Nov. 27).