Last year, on the weekend of July 21, 2023: Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer were released into theaters worldwide, on the same day, taking the world by storm. Social media turned this into one of the biggest pop culture events of recent times - Barbenheimer. Everywhere you went on social media were fan-made posters of Barbie and Oppenheimer together.
And what made this event so special was that it was never intentional. The studios responsible for the release of both films - Warner Bros and Universal - had no intention of creating this “double feature event”. But audiences turned it from a casual moviegoing weekend to one of the most exciting times in cinema history.
It was such a global sensation that summer that I thought nothing would come close to it for a very long time, if not ever. Lightning in a bottle usually never strikes twice. However, this upcoming weekend of November 22nd, two very anticipated blockbusters are releasing on the same day trying to recreate that Barbenheimer magic, and I think they might just do it.
At least, to some extent. Those films are Wicked and Gladiator II. Some are calling it “Glicked” or “Wickidiator”. I personally don’t like those names, but whatever. It is what it is.
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This one is going to be huge. Like, wicked-ly huge. No pun intended.
I’m sure most people already know that, since premiering in 2003, Wicked has become one of Broadway’s most iconic shows ever. Over 250 million people around the world went to see this play. I remember my parents going to see it and taking me with them around ten years ago, and it was magical.
The film adaptation features Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as the two main protagonists / Galinda and Elphaba. I wasn’t sold on this movie by the trailers, they were okay-ish. But what caught my attention was a behind-the-scenes promo that Universal Pictures released online a few weeks ago showing the making of the film, the cast rehearsing for their musical sequences, and director John M.
Chu coordinating the entire thing. It was pretty jaw-dropping to watch, so imagine the film itself. It completely changed my mindset on everything regarding this motion picture. And moviegoers seem pretty stoked for this one…tickets are selling fast (Barbie-level fast) for opening weekend. At the end of the day, all I hope for is a great movie and a great moviegoing experience.
Wicked tells the story of a young woman named Elphaba, who forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Galinda, a student with an unflinching desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroads as their lives begin to take very different paths.

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Gladiator II
This is one I’ve been waiting years for. The sequel to one of my favorite movies - Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000). Scott returns to direct the sequel two decades after the original, along with a star-studded cast, which includes names such as Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Denzel Washington.
I watched the first Gladiator with my dad back in 2017 and fell in love with it. It was also the movie in which I discovered Ridley Scott and became a lover of his work. He’s a mastermind at creating big, epic-scale historical epics. Scott is 86, and still going at it, having certified himself as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.
Gladiator II promises to deliver, as its trailers have been great. I can’t wait to see how the action sequences in the Colosseum unfold considering Scott used mostly all practical effects for it, just like in the first film, creating a sense of realism that visual effects simply can’t offer. What amazes me the most about the first Gladiator was Scott’s portrayal of ancient Rome and how incredibly immersive it was, making me feel like I was right there in the Colosseum.
What also made it so special was the powerful and unforgettable performance by Russell Crowe as Maximus, a general who rises as a gladiator to seek vengeance. The combination of the intense action scenes, breathtaking visuals, compelling plot, and Hans Zimmer's iconic score created such a thrilling experience that has left a lasting impact on me to this day. Will Gladiator II be as powerful? I don’t know, but from what early reviews are saying, Scott has another masterpiece on his hands. Bring it on!
Gladiator II picks up the story years after Lucius witnesses the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle. He must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquered his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Final Thoughts
While “Glicked” or “Wickidiator”, however, you want to call it, will be massive, I don’t see it being AS big as Barbenheimer was at least in terms of social engagement and cultural following. Simply because Barbenheimer was never intentional, it just came to be because of fans and audiences and turned into a giant event that almost everyone wanted to be a part of.
But at the end of the day, all that really matters is for Wicked and Gladiator II to be great movies that offer a unique experience to moviegoers. One thing is for certain: this weekend will be a record-shattering one at the box office. And the month isn’t over yet, as Disney’s Moana 2 comes out in little under two weeks.
This film will just add to the momentum started this week by Wicked and Gladiator II. Let’s see what 2025 & beyond has in store for us. Until then, enjoy the magic of movies!