With a combined $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, "Wicked” and “Gladiator II” breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately.

Nov 24 (Reuters) - "Wicked," the first of two movies based on a beloved Broadway musical, soared into theaters with an estimated $114 million in U.S. and Canadian ticket sales, distributor Universal Pictures (CMCSA.O) said on Sunday.

Battling a 27 percent decline in domestic ticket sales compared with before the pandemic, studios left no marketing drum unthumped in releasing the movies.