‘Gladiator II’ sweeps world premiere with epic box office numbers

Ridley Scott’s epic sequel, ‘Gladiator II’, burst onto the movie scene with a bang, grossing $87 million in its opening weekend.

The highly anticipated sequel to ‘Gladiator’, directed by Ridley Scott, debuted strongly in theaters, racking up $87 million in its first weekend in 63 international markets. This release not only represents the best international R-rated opening in the history of Paramount Pictures, but also sets a new record for Scott, surpassing previous hits such as ‘The Martian’ and the original ‘Gladiator’.

More than two decades after the Oscar-winning film, this new installment follows the protagonist as he fights to restore glory to Rome, while facing intense battles in the arena of the Colosseum. The cast includes well-known stars such as Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, whose role is already generating speculation about a possible Oscar nomination.

The film swept key markets, grossing $11.4 million in the UK, $10.3 million in France and $5.6 million in Spain. In addition, premium formats such as IMAX contributed $7 million to the total, cementing the production’s status as a blockbuster on its way to becoming a global phenomenon.