Wicked' and 'Gladiator 2' kicked off Thursday night respectively grossing $20M and $6M+ in previews. 'Wicked's cash includes earlier previews.

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.

This weekend, Wicked and Gladiator II are set to battle at the box office. Can Glicked emulate the success of Barbenheimer?The Latest Tech News, Delivered to Your Inbox

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

Two of the most highly anticipated films of the year have been released. 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' are now in theaters, and many are wondering if the two productions will replicate the success of 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer,' which resulted in the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon.

Musical adaptation "Wicked" and action epic "Gladiator II" generated a combined $25.7 million from early screenings in the U.S. and Canada, setting off the biggest box-office battle since "Barbenheimer.

Just like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” combined last year for the box office juggernaut of “Barbenheimer,” Universal’s musical “Wicked” and Paramount’s action epic “Gladiator II” will try to create “Glicked” this weekend.

The box office languished this fall after a record-breaking summer, though the trifecta of “Wicked,” “Gladiator II” and “Moana 2” are expected to be big hits this month.

By Lisa Richwine LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -"Wicked," the first installment in a two-part movie adaptation of a beloved Broadway musical, generated $19.2 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales from early screenings this week,

Whether “ Wicked ” and “ Gladiator II ” inspires an unorthodox double feature à la last summer’s simultaneous blockbusters “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” remains a question. Either way, there’s a box office battle brewing between Universal’s pink-and-green musical and Paramount’s bloody sword-and-sandal epic, both of which open on Friday.