As most have by now picked up, two disparate, big-budget films are sharing a release date: One, an R-rated historical epic stacked with a starry cast of Oscar hopefuls. The other, a musical based on a beloved property with plenty of

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.

Wicked offers a gravity-defying origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West, while Gladiator II revisits the violence of ancient Rome.

Wicked' Paul Mescal may be taking the mantle as the newest hero of Rome in Gladiator II, but he's happy to share the glory with another blockbuster, Wicked. The actor, 28, plays Lucius in director Ridley Scott's sequel to 2000's Gladiator,

"Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are both pretty good films, but if you only have time for one this weekend, the correct choice is clear.

The films are both big studio releases with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy.

Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.

Paramount Pictures Two very different, very anticipated movies are headed into theaters Friday, and some prognosticators say it could lead to a new “Barbenheimer” box office bonanza. Wicked and Gladiator II are Friday’s big openers,