The official trailer for Paramount’s Gladiator II had an impressive start, surpassing the debut trailer views of Top Gun: Maverick within the first 24 hours. With a total of 128 million views worldwide on various social media platforms, Gladiator II outperformed Top Gun: Maverick, which generated 75 million views during the same time frame.
In the U.S., Gladiator II quickly rose to the top spot on trending charts and ranked as the second most searched term on Google’s U.S. Daily Search Trend list after just 24 hours. The excitement for the sequel continues to grow, with current views for the trailer reaching 180 million and 48-hour traffic standing at 177 million globally.
Universal’s decision to schedule its femme event movie, Wicked, on the same release date as Gladiator II has sparked discussions about a potential clash between the male-oriented Gladiator II and the female-targeted Wicked. Both studios are hoping to attract a diverse audience over the weekend and capitalize on the buzz surrounding both films.
Gladiator II star Paul Mescal shared his thoughts on the upcoming box office showdown, jokingly suggesting the mash-up name “Wickdiator” for the potential competition between the two films. While both Barbie and Oppenheimer saw success with their releases, the anticipation for Gladiator II’s performance at the box office remains high based on the popularity of its predecessor.
Years after the events of the original Gladiator, Gladiator II follows the story of Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, who is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors ruling Rome. With themes of vengeance, honor, and redemption, the sequel promises to deliver an action-packed and emotional journey for its characters.
In addition to Paul Mescal, Gladiator II features a talented ensemble cast including Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, and Denzel Washington as Macrinus. The diverse and experienced lineup of actors adds depth and intrigue to the film’s narrative.
Through its captivating trailer and promising story, Gladiator II has set the stage for an epic cinematic experience that audiences worldwide are eagerly anticipating. With its compelling plot, star-studded cast, and strong early reception, the sequel has the potential to follow in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessor and become a box office success.