After 24 years of anticipation, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II finally arrived on Australian screens, officially kicking off the summer season for moviegoers.
The sequel has stormed the global box office, raking in an impressive $87 million across 63 international markets – marking the largest global opening of Scott’s career. In Australia, Gladiator II made an equally formidable impact, grossing $7.6 million over its opening weekend (Wednesday to Sunday), securing the fifth-largest opening of 2024.
With over 326,000 admissions in its opening days, the film has resonated strongly with audiences, particularly the 18-54 demographic, which accounted for 82% of its total audience. Male viewers led the charge, making up 63% of the audience, underscoring the film’s broad cross-generational appeal. The result represents a massive +45% spike in admissions from the previous weekend, setting the stage for a blockbuster season as the summer holidays approach.
Guy Burbidge, managing director of Val Morgan Cinema, shared his excitement: “We knew from the start that Gladiator II had all the ingredients for success—its wide-reaching appeal, decades of anticipation, and a gripping story that would captivate audiences. And it has done just that.”
“This is just the beginning. Gladiator II is the first of the major summer blockbusters, and it’s set the bar high. We’re expecting one of the biggest cinema seasons yet, and the film is sure to draw audiences through the holiday period and beyond, remaining a key part of the cultural conversation for years to come,” he added.
The Gladiator II release marks the opening salvo of a summer packed with highly anticipated films. With big-name titles like Wicked, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 set to hit cinemas by Boxing Day, the momentum will only build. 2024 will continue to deliver major releases, with upcoming films including Paddington in Peru, We Live in Time, Captain America: Brave New World, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Sinners, and the live-action Snow White, all slated for release between January and March.