21 sources·Entertainment

Record-Breaking Weekend for 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' as Hollywood Aims for Family-Friendly Movies

Universal's 'Wicked' and Paramount's 'Gladiator II' had a successful opening weekend, but the industry seeks more family-centered films to sustain growth.

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Updated: Nov 25th, 2024, 10:05 AM ET

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This weekend, Universal's 'Wicked' broke box-office records with a global gross of $164 million, dominating over Paramount's 'Gladiator II' which made $106 million. Critics noted that the success reflects a trend favoring family-friendly entertainment following pandemic recovery. 'Wicked' is positioned to potentially become one of the top films of 2024, particularly with the upcoming competition from Disney's 'Moana 2'. Director Jon M Chu addressed criticism regarding the film's visual style, emphasizing its intentional color grading meant to enhance the storytelling experience.

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