Gladiator II achieved a tremendous global box office haul that places it in the upper echelon of Ridley Scott’s filmography. The director, who also helmed the original 2000 film, has returned with the belated sequel, which follows Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Russell Crowe’s original character Maximus, as he seeks revenge against the Roman Empire while fighting in the gladiator arena. . THE Gladiator II the release had a pre-Thanksgiving debut alongside Evil in national cinemas, although it premiered in some international markets a week earlier.
Put Varietyon Sunday morning, Gladiator II is projected to gross $55.5 million over its three-day domestic opening weekend. This total, combined with international revenues from the first ten days of its run, brings its cumulative worldwide box office total to $221 million. Not only does this make the film the 17th highest-grossing film of the year so far, it has also surpassed the overall worldwide gross of 19 of the 27 major releases Scott has previously directed over the years, including 1979’s. Foreigner ($188 million) and 1982 Blade runner ($39.6 million).
What this means for Gladiator II
You have a chance to reach first place
One of the Scott films that the new film has yet to surpass is the original Gladiatorwhich grossed US$451.7 million worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 2000, behind Mission: Impossible II. However, there are a few films in his filmography that the new film will likely surpass within another weekincluding Alien: Alliance ($238.5 million) and Exodus: Gods and Kings ($268.3 million). Below, see a breakdown of all eight Ridley Scott films that have earned more than Gladiator IIThe current global gross value:
|
Title |
Worldwide box office |
|---|---|
|
The Martian (2015) |
US$653.6 million |
|
Gladiator (2000) |
US$451.7 million |
|
Prometheus (2012) |
US$402.4 million |
|
Hannibal (2001) |
US$250.1 million |
|
Robin Hood (2010) |
US$322.4 million |
|
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) |
US$268.3 million |
|
American gangster (2007) |
US$267.9 million |
|
Alien: Alliance (2017) |
US$238.5 million |
Gladiator II The reviews, which gave the film a Certified Fresh score of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, were not as positive as those for the original, which is Certified Fresh at 80%. However, both films’ audience scores are nearly equal, with the original earning 87% and the sequel earning 84%. This means that word of mouth for both films may be similar and in this case maintain its current trajectory in relation to the original could eventually gross $740 million or more worldwidewhich would easily make it Ridley Scott’s highest-grossing film.
Our Take on Gladiator II’s Global Box Office
The film needs to be huge to be successful
It’s probably a good thing for Gladiator II which is on track to become one of the director’s highest-grossing films because it also comes with an expensive production budget estimated at between $210 and $310 million. As films typically need to earn two and a half times their theatrical price, this could put your break-even point somewhere between $525 and $775 millionwhich are totals that alone exceed every film Ridley Scott has ever made or fall just below his number 1 film, The Martian.
Did you enjoy Screen Rant’s box office coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly box office newsletter (make sure to check “Box Office” in your preferences) and get exclusive analysis, predictions and more:
Subscribe
Source: Variety