Ridley Scott‘s long-awaited sequel, Gladiator II, has charged into the global box office, earning $87 million USD in its opening weekend across 63 markets. This epic debut marks Paramount Pictures‘ biggest international R-rated opening and Scott’s strongest overseas launch, surpassing previous hits like The Martian and the original Gladiator.
Two decades after the Oscar-winning first film, the sequel chronicles the protagonist’s quest to restore Rome’s glory while battling in the Colosseum’s brutal arena. The star-studded cast includes Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington, with Washington’s performance already drawing Oscar buzz.
The film dominated key markets, collecting $11.4 million USD in the United Kingdom, $10.3 million USD in France, and $5.6 million USD in Spain. IMAX and other premium formats contributed $7 million USD to the total, reinforcing the film’s blockbuster potential.
