Paramount's much-anticipated 'Gladiator' sequel storms international markets with an $87 million debut, setting records and setting the stage for a high-stakes box office battle with 'Wicked' in North America.
- Nov 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - Paramount's "Gladiator II", directed by Ridley Scott, entered the international box office arena with a powerful $87 million opening from 63 markets, marking the biggest overseas debut for both Scott and any Paramount R-rated film. This quarter-century-in-the-making sequel to the 2000 best picture winner "Gladiator" stars Paul Mescal alongside a star-studded cast including Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington. The film's arrival comes after a global promotional tour culminating in a royal premiere in the United Kingdom, attended by King Charles III.
Among major markets, "Gladiator II" performed best in the U.K. with a $11.4 million launch from 722 locations, followed by France at $10.3 million from 729 sites, and Spain at $5.6 million from 411 locations. These numbers led the film to achieve the highest international R-rated opening weekend for Paramount, and the best overseas start for any Ridley Scott-directed movie. In total, the film earned $7 million from 453 IMAX screens globally, making it one of the top three international debuts for IMAX this year.
The narrative of "Gladiator II" takes place two decades after the original, focusing on Lucius (played by Mescal), the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix's emperor Commodus. With the film carrying a hefty $250 million-plus budget, its success at the global box office is crucial. Early reviews have been mixed, with a 75% average rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While Owen Gleiberman from Variety called it a "serviceable but far from great sequel," the general reception has been positive.
As "Gladiator II" gears up for its domestic release on November 22, it faces stiff competition from Universal's "Wicked". Current projections suggest that while it may not dethrone "Wicked" from the top spot, it is poised for a robust North American debut exceeding $75 million.
Alongside the "Gladiator II" buzz, other box office entries such as Sony's "Venom: The Last Dance" and Universal/DreamWorks Animation's "The Wild Robot" continue to perform well. "Venom: The Last Dance" has now surpassed $436 million globally, while "The Wild Robot", the animated adventure, crossed the $300 million mark.
Stay tuned for more updates as "Gladiator II" readies itself for its North American debut, promising an exciting box office showdown in the week ahead.
