Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II headline a blockbuster weekend, driving the box office to a combined $209 million for all titles. Wicked dazzles with a projected $117 million domestic opening, breaking records for Broadway adaptations, while Gladiator II delivers a solid $60 million, buoyed by its international appeal. Special theatre promotions and holiday audiences further enhance the cinematic experience, setting the stage for continued success into December.