'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' to Clash in Theaters on November 22

Universal's musical adaptation and Ridley Scott's epic sequel aim to recreate the 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon.

'Wicked' moved its release date to avoid competition with 'Moana 2'.
The films offer contrasting genres: a colorful musical and a historical action drama.
Both movies feature star-studded casts including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Paul Mescal, and Pedro Pascal.
The release date change has sparked online comparisons to last year's 'Barbenheimer' cultural moment.
The success of 'Barbenheimer' led to significant economic benefits, a result both studios hope to replicate.