The highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning 'Gladiator' finally hit cinemas this weekend, making an impressive start in India and international markets. 'Gladiator II', featuring a star-studded cast including Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Connie Nielsen, was released in 63 international markets on 15 November 2024, ahead of its US and China debuts on 22 November.
In India, the film opened to an estimated Rs 1.5 crore across all languages on its first day, with English screenings achieving a 55% occupancy rate, according to Sacnilk.com. The momentum carried into the weekend, with Saturday's earnings climbing to Rs 2.4 crore (Rs 1.99 crore from English shows and Rs 40 lakh from Hindi and Tamil dubbed versions). However, Sunday saw a slight dip, with collections at Rs 2.3 crore (Rs 1.84 crore from English and Rs 46 lakh from dubbed versions), bringing the total opening weekend nett earnings to Rs 6.3 crore.
At the international markets, the epic made waves at the box office, raking in an estimated $87 million during its opening weekend. This marks the largest overseas debut for a Ridley Scott-directed film and Paramount’s strongest R-rated overseas release. The film performed exceptionally in the UK, earning $11.4 million at 722 locations, followed by France with $10.3 million from 729 sites. Other notable markets included Spain which earned $5.6 million, Australia with a $4.9 million collection, and Mexico earning $4.7 million.
'Gladiator II' has been well-received by critics and audiences alike, with its opening weekend results meeting projections of $80–$90 million. It outshines its predecessor, which debuted with $34.8 million during its opening weekend and went on to gross $430 million globally during its theatrical run.
The sequel, directed by Ridley Scott, picks up 24 years after the original, following the story of Lucius, the son of Lucilla and nephew of Maximus, as he navigates the perilous world of ancient Rome.
With its US and China releases still to come, the film's box office journey is far from over.
