The official trailer for Paramount’s Gladiator II has taken the world by storm, surpassing even the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick in views. In its first 24 hours alone, the trailer garnered an impressive 128 million views across various platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. This number is a significant increase from Top Gun: Maverick’s 75 million views during its trailer debut. With the current views for Gladiator II standing at 180 million and counting, it is clear that audiences are eagerly anticipating this sequel.
Not only did Gladiator II break records in terms of views, but it also made waves in terms of online trends and rankings. In the US, the trailer reached the number one spot on certain platforms and ranked at number two on Google’s U.S. Daily Search Trend list within the first 24 hours. Even two days after its release, the trailer continues to trend on YouTube, showcasing the heightened interest and excitement surrounding this film.
With Universal choosing to release its big event movie, Wicked, on the same day as Gladiator II, a potential box office showdown between the two films is looming. While the decision was made to give Wicked a competitive edge before Disney’s Moana II hits theaters, the prospect of a “Barbenheimer weekend” is causing quite a buzz. Both Paramount and Universal are hopeful that the combination of male and female demographics will drive audiences to theaters for both films over the weekend.
Gladiator II boasts a talented cast with Paul Mescal leading the way as Lucius, the young protagonist forced to fight in the Colosseum after his home is conquered by tyrannical Emperors. Pedro Pascal stars as Marcus Acacius, Joseph Quinn as Emperor Geta, Fred Hechinger as Emperor Caracalla, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla, and Denzel Washington as Macrinus. The sequel promises to deliver an epic tale of revenge, honor, and the fight for the future of Rome.
The original Gladiator film, released in 2000, was a critical and commercial success, winning five Oscars including Best Picture. It opened to $34.8 million during its first weekend and went on to gross $187.7 million domestically and $465.3 million globally. With such a strong foundation and a loyal fan base, Gladiator II has big shoes to fill in terms of living up to its predecessor’s legacy.
Overall, the record-breaking views and positive reception of the Gladiator II trailer indicate a high level of anticipation for the film’s release. With a talented cast, an intriguing storyline, and the potential for a box office showdown, Gladiator II is poised to make a mark in the world of cinema.