Cinema attendance has received a significant boost as ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ collectively generated £385 million in worldwide box office receipts over the weekend, indicating promising prospects for the holiday season. The forthcoming release of Disney’s ‘Moana 2’ on Wednesday, ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday, is poised to maintain this positive momentum.
Box office analysts project this could be the most successful Thanksgiving period since 2018, offering a glimmer of hope for cinemas still struggling to reach pre-pandemic attendance levels. The anticipated 10-day period could approach £400 million in US revenues, surpassing the previous record of £315 million established in 2018.
‘Wicked’, the £145 million musical directed by Jon Chu and featuring Ariana Grande, dominated the weekend with £114 million in US earnings and £164.2 million globally. This achievement marks the year’s third-largest opening weekend, following ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’.
The Ridley Scott-helmed ‘Gladiator II’, with its substantial £250 million budget, secured £55.5 million at the US box office, though falling short of initial projections. The film’s global earnings have reached £221 million, providing much-needed optimism for the industry.
These results arrive at a crucial time for Hollywood, which has faced challenges throughout 2024. The industry’s performance had been lagging 11% behind last year’s figures, which were bolstered by the phenomenal success of ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’. The recent Hollywood strikes created a significant void in the release schedule during the year’s first five months.
Disney’s strategic shift towards quality over quantity appears to be paying dividends. With ‘Moana 2’ projected to generate approximately £135 million in its opening weekend and ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ scheduled for December, the studio is positioned to conclude 2024 on a strong note, potentially securing its third billion-pound performer of the year.
Post Disclaimer
The following content has been published by Stockmark.IT. All information utilised in the creation of this communication has been gathered from publicly available sources that we consider reliable. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this communication.
This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as an offer, recommendation, solicitation, inducement, or invitation by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliates to engage in any investment activities. The opinions and views expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Company, its affiliates, or any other third party.
The services and products mentioned in this communication may not be suitable for all recipients, by continuing to read this website and its content you agree to the terms of this disclaimer.