"Wicked" and "Gladiator II" are both pretty good films, but if you only have time for one this weekend, see "Wicked."

As most have by now picked up, two disparate, big-budget films are sharing a release date: One, an R-rated historical epic stacked with a starry cast of Oscar hopefuls. The other, a musical based on a beloved property with plenty of

Wicked and Gladiator II are both off to a strong start at the box office; however, it won’t be as big of an opening weekend as Barbenheimer. Wicked and Gladiator II are both now playing in United States theaters.

Musical adaptation "Wicked" and action epic "Gladiator II" generated a combined $25.7 million from early screenings in the U.S. and Canada, setting off the biggest box-office battle since "Barbenheimer.

Wicked” and “Gladiator II” both drew less in Thursday previews than their “Barbenheimer” counterparts, but are still expected to help the fall box office.

Wicked offers a gravity-defying origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West, while Gladiator II revisits the violence of ancient Rome.

Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.

Fans of 'Wicked' have been thrilled to see the behind-the-scenes photos since filming started, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo portraying Glinda and Elphaba respectively. Mea