“Glicked” Takes Aim at Barbenheimer’s Double Feature Magic

“Glicked” Takes Aim at Barbenheimer’s Double Feature Magic \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hollywood is betting on “Glicked”—the pairing of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II”—to emulate the dual-movie magic of 2023’s “Barbenheimer.” Fans and marketers have jumped on the mashup trend, sparking buzz around these highly anticipated films. With projections suggesting a $165 million combined opening weekend, theaters are pulling out all the stops to make this a cultural moment, though challenges like high production costs and fierce competition lie ahead.

Glicked Quick Looks

• Barbenheimer’s Legacy: The 2023 phenomenon paved the way for new mashup attempts.
• What is “Glicked”?: A nickname combining “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” much like “Barbenheimer.”
• The Appeal: Contrasting aesthetics—sparkling Broadway magic vs. gritty historical action.
• Fan Engagement: 65% of Fandango respondents excited for the double feature.
• Marketing Strategies: Themed events, custom merchandise, and interactive screenings.
• Financial Stakes: Forecasted $165 million combined debut, with high-budget productions.
• Upcoming Competition: “Moana 2” follows days later, adding to holiday season pressure.

Deep Look

The unprecedented success of “Barbenheimer” in 2023—pairing the contrasting worlds of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer”—marked a defining moment for Hollywood. Fans, drawn by the novelty of the mashup, turned the release weekend into a social and cultural event, helping both films exceed expectations. “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” opened with a combined $244 million and went on to gross nearly $2.4 billion globally. Inspired by this success, Hollywood and fans alike have tried to recreate that magic.

This weekend brings the most promising attempt yet: “Glicked,” a nickname for the pairing of the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” and Ridley Scott’s epic sequel, “Gladiator II.”

The Glicked Buzz

Unlike other failed attempts at movie mashups (e.g., the underwhelming “Saw Patrol”), “Glicked” appears to have captured fan and industry attention. The mashup merges two vastly different cinematic worlds: the bright, sparkly, and song-filled universe of “Wicked” and the dusty, intense, and blood-soaked battlefield of “Gladiator II.” This duality recalls the male-female divide that helped drive “Barbenheimer’s” success.

Fans are leaning into the fun, with suggested names like “Gladwick,” “Wadiator,” and even the eyebrow-raising “Gladicked” making rounds on social media. Actor Fred Hechinger, a star of “Gladiator II,” threw his weight behind “Glicked,” calling it the most natural-sounding option.

Theater and Fan Engagement

Theaters are capitalizing on the hype with creative promotions. B&B Theaters will feature Roman guards tearing tickets and serve themed Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is offering “Oz”-themed photo ops and bracelet-making stations. At Alamo Drafthouse, fans can enjoy singalong screenings and cocktails like “Defying Gravi-Tea.”

These interactive elements are designed to make the double feature feel like an event, mirroring the way “Barbenheimer” brought audiences together. According to a Fandango survey, 65% of respondents are excited to see both films, signaling strong pre-release interest.

Financial Predictions and Challenges

Early box office forecasts predict “Glicked” could earn $165 million domestically during its opening weekend. “Wicked” is projected to bring in $100 million, while “Gladiator II” is expected to contribute $65 million. While promising, these figures fall short of “Barbenheimer’s” record-breaking debut.

Another challenge lies in the films’ production costs. “Gladiator II” reportedly cost $250 million, while “Wicked” has a $150 million price tag per installment (the second part is due next year). These budgets are significantly higher than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million), raising the stakes for both films to perform well.

Cultural and Market Impact

Stars like Paul Mescal of “Gladiator II” are optimistic about the mashup’s potential to draw audiences. “Rather than competition, it’s about conversation,” Mescal said, echoing the sentiment that dual releases can benefit the industry as a whole. Michael O’Leary, CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners, called the strategy a “multiplier effect,” where the success of one film boosts interest in the other.

The timing of “Glicked” couldn’t be more critical. The box office remains 11% below 2022 levels and 27% behind 2019, according to Comscore. Industry leaders hope the holiday season slate, including “Glicked” and “Moana 2,” will help close the gap.

What Lies Ahead

Despite the excitement, “Glicked” faces several hurdles. For one, “Wicked” is a “Part One” and may struggle to offer a fully satisfying narrative. Musicals also carry a certain stigma with some moviegoers, as seen with the poorly received “Cats.” Meanwhile, “Gladiator II” opened internationally last weekend, meaning it lacks the synchronized global debut momentum of “Barbenheimer.”

Early reviews for “Gladiator II” have been mixed, which could dampen enthusiasm. Additionally, neither Ridley Scott nor “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu has the box office clout of Christopher Nolan, whose reputation significantly boosted “Oppenheimer.”

Nevertheless, the dual release has reignited a sense of communal moviegoing. Fans are even toying with future mashup possibilities, like “Glickedana” (adding “Moana 2” to the mix). And while comparisons to “Barbenheimer” might feel unfair, the very act of getting audiences talking is a win for Hollywood.

As O’Leary put it: “These are 10 important days. This moment shows there’s a lot of compelling content for audiences to see.”

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