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Early Thursday previews indicate a promising outlook for both movies, but "Wicked" appears to have the upper hand. The musical adaptation garnered $1 million from preview screenings including some Monday and Wednesday previews, with $11 million reported on Thursday alone. Industry estimates suggest "Wicked" could debut above $100 million domestically, largely due to its appeal to women.
In contrast, "Gladiator 2" brought in a notable $6.5 million during previews on Thursday. While still early, expectations place "Gladiator 2" as a film that will largely resonate with male audiences, akin to the original's core demographic. Of course, crossover audiences exist—people attending with partners or friends—but the core appeal of each film is distinctly different.