Nearly 24 years after the original Gladiator captivated audiences, Ridley Scott returns with a sequel.
While Gladiator 2 struggles to match the artistic heights of its predecessor, it delivers a respectable follow-up and emerges as one of this year’s pleasant surprises. Early signs of success bring cautious optimism for its creators, as the film boasts an impressive debut.
Gladiator 2 drew large crowds to theaters, earning $87 million globally during its opening weekend. While this figure might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, it’s important to note that the film has only premiered in international markets. Its North American debut is still forthcoming.
In this context, the opening is highly promising. Statistics back this up: the $87 million global haul marks Ridley Scott’s best-ever opening weekend for any film, surpassing the $45 million earned by The Martian in non-U.S. markets. According to Variety, this milestone cements the sequel’s strong start.
Additionally, Gladiator 2 now holds the record as Paramount Pictures’ most successful R-rated opening weekend, with its adult-targeted audience contributing to its robust performance.
With largely favorable reviews and strong international momentum, the action-packed historical epic is poised for a significant box office performance in North America. Analysts project it could earn between $75 and $80 million in its opening weekend stateside.
