The Barbenheimer Effect: Why the Wicked, Gladiator II Box Office Pairing Just Works

Image from ComicBook.com

• The pairing of the fantastical musical 'Wicked' and the historical action sequel 'Gladiator II' is sparking the same social media buzz as last year's 'Barbenheimer' craze, with theaters offering double features to satisfy diverse moviegoers.
• Just as 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' offered starkly different tones but both earned critical acclaim and box office success, the 'Glicked' duo of 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' are banking on their recognizability and marketing savvy to capture the public's imagination.