There might be a new “Barbenheimer” in town, as two other highly anticipated blockbusters, “Wicked” and “Gladiator 2,” are scheduled to premiere on the same day.
Last year, polar opposite movies “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were coincidentally released on July 21. This created a huge cultural moment dubbed “Barbenheimer,” which breathed life into a struggling industry as cinemagoers approached the films as a double bill.
Sources told Business Insider’s Jason Guerrasio last July that “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan was upset about the date clash. “Barbie” actor and producer Margot Robbie told Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series last December that an “Oppenheimer” producer called her to move the date, but she declined.
Despite worries about the clash, “Barbenheimer” was a huge success. Barbie became Warner Bros’ highest-grossing movie ever, and “Oppenheimer” beat the record for the highest-grossing biopic of all time. Both films made over $2 billion combined.
On Monday, Universal announced the release date of “Wicked” would move from November 27 to November 22, clashing with Paramount’s “Gladiator 2.” Film fans are now dubbing the movies as the new “Barbenheimer.”
Other fans complained about the apparent attempt to recreate the Barbenheimer phenomenon.
Last year, some fans tried to make “Saw Patrol” happen after they noticed “Saw X” and “Paw Patrol: The Movie” had the same release date, but it didn’t generate a similar buzz as “Barbenheimer.”
“Wicked” and “Gladiator 2” would likely fare better.
“Gladiator 2,” directed by Ridley Scott (“Alien,” “House of Gucci”), is a sequel to one of the biggest movies of the 2000s, so it already has a fan base.”Gladiator” won five Oscars and made $465 million at the box office in 2000, according to Box Office Mojo.
Starring buzzy actors, including Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, and Denzel Washington, “Gladiator 2” could be an even bigger success.
Meanwhile, “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Step Up 2: The Streets”), is the first of a two-part movie adaptation of one of the world’s most famous musicals. Variety reported last year that the musical had made over $5 billion globally since it premiered in 2003.
Non-Disney movie musicals have been a tougher sell in cinemas, but “Wicked” could attract new fans with the star power of Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Bailey.
“Wickiator” (or “Gladicked”? “Glicked”?) becoming a cultural moment like “Barbenheimer” would give Paramount, Universal, and movie theatres a welcome boost after a slow summer so far.
Marketing the films as a double-feature could help them compete with “Moana 2,” another highly anticipated movie that will release on November 27.
Regardless, the double-bill has a $2 billion bar to clear if it’s going to repeat the success of “Barbenheimer.”
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