Gold Is Being Poured. the Market Hasn't Reacted.

A test mining program just demonstrated that an experienced mining team has unlocked the value in a built mine atop a high-grade gold deposit. Ore's already been processed. But the stock is still trading like it's early stage. That won't last long.

'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts

JAKE COYLE
November 24, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) -- With a combined $270 million in worldwide ticket sales, "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" breathed fresh life into a box office that has struggled lately, leading to one of the busiest moviegoing weekends of the year.

Jon M. Chu's lavish big-budget musical "Wicked," starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally for Universal Pictures, according to studio estimates Sunday. That made it the third-biggest opening weekend of the year, behind only "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Inside Out 2." It's also a record for a Broadway musical adaptation.

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II," a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original, launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. With a price tag of around $250 million to produce it, "Gladiator II" was a big bet by Paramount Pictures to return to the Coliseum with a largely new cast, led by Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal. While it opened with a touch less than the $60 million predicted in domestic ticket sales, "Gladiator II" has performed well overseas. It added $50.5 million internationally.

Going into the weekend, box office was down about 11% from last year and some 25% from pre-pandemic times. That meant this week's two headline films led a much-needed resurgence for theaters. With "Moana 2" releasing Wednesday, Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday.

"This weekend's two strong openers are invigorating a box office that fell apart after a good summer," said David A. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter for Franchise Entertainment.

The collision of the two movies led to some echoes of the "Barbenheimer" effect of last year, when "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" launched simultaneously. The nickname this time, "Glicked," wasn't quite as catchy and the cultural imprint was also notably less. Few people sought out a double feature this time. The domestic grosses in 2023 - $162 million for "Barbie" and $82 million for "Oppenheimer" - were also higher.

But the counter-programming effect was still potent for "Wicked" and "Gladiator II," which likewise split broadly along gender lines. And it was again the female-leaning release - "Wicked," like "Barbie" before it - that easily won the weekend. About 72% of ticket buyers for "Wicked" were female, while 61% of those seeing "Gladiator II" were male.

And while "Barbenheimer" benefitted enormously from meme-spread word-of-mouth, both "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" leaned on all-out marketing blitzes.

Both movies pulled out all the stops in global advertising campaigns that spanned everything from "Wicked" Mattel dolls (some of which led to an awkward recall) to an Airbnb cross-promotion with the actual Colosseum in Rome. For "Gladiator II," Paramount even took the unusual step of simultaneously running a one-minute trailer on more than 4,000 TV networks, radio station and digital platforms.

Though "Wicked" will face some direct competition from "Moana 2," it would seem to be better set up for a long and lucrative run in theaters. Even at 2 hours and 40 minutes, the film has had mostly stellar reviews. Audiences gave it an "A" on CinemaScore. The reception for "Wicked" has been strong enough that Oscar prognosticators expect it to be a contender for best picture at the Academy Awards, among other categories.

Producers, perhaps sensing a hit, also took the step of splitting "Wicked" in two. Part two, already filmed, is due out next November. Each "Wicked" installation cost around $150 million to make.

"Gladiator II" has also enjoyed good reviews, particularly for Washington's charismatic performance. Audience scores, though, were weaker, with ticket buyers giving it a "B" on CinemaScore. "Gladiator II" will make up for some of that, however, with robust international sales. It launched in many overseas markets a week ago, earning $87 million before landing in North America.

Continue Reading...

Popular

First at-home test kit for cervical cancer approved by the FDA, company says

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators have approved the first testing kit that allows women to collect their own sample at home before shipping it to a laboratory, according to a medical device company.

From AI avatars to virtual reality crime scenes, courts are grappling with AI in the justice system

Stacey Wales gripped the lectern, choking back tears as she asked the judge to give the man who shot and killed her brother the maximum possible sentence for manslaughter.

Do This Before Potential Tariff Announcement on May 15th - Ad

While the market whipsaws on every Trump tariff headline, Larry Benedict's readers have had the chance to quietly bank gains as high as 100%-sometimes in a single day. His 3-green-arrow system spots massive swings before they happen. The next setup hits May 15.

Two dolls instead of 30? Toys become the latest symbol of Trump's trade war

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump's has taken aim at a number of foreign goods, from European wines and car parts from Mexico to . Lately, the president's wandering ire has found another rhetorical poster child: toy dolls.

Stocks Slip As Gold Rebounds To $3,330, Bitcoin Holds $102,000: What's Driving Markets Friday?

Wall Street traded slightly lower by midday Friday, as investors adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of a potential trade breakthrough, with high-stakes negotiations between U.S. officials—led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent—and Chinese authorities set to unfold over the weekend.

50 Major Companies That Will Likely Fail to Survive Trump's MAGA Economy - Ad

50 major companies that will likely fail to survive Trump's MAGA economy. Many have 5-star ratings. Most are "buys" per Wall Street. But they're dead companies.

Trump Admin Cuts $11 Billion In Health Funds — Local Governments Fight Back

Local governments sue the Trump administration over the abrupt termination of $11 billion in CDC pandemic preparedness grants.

Air traffic controllers briefly lose radar access again at Newark airport

The air traffic controllers directing planes into the Newark, New Jersey, airport lost their radar Friday morning for the second time in two weeks.

Tech Millionaire: "Here's Where I'd Put $10,000 After the Selloff" - Ad

A little-known breakthrough is already showing up in Amazon's 1,285 warehouses... could soon be in every middle-class household in America... and might create more millionaires in the coming years than any other investment.

Why Barrick Gold Stock Is Trading Lower

Barrick Gold Corp (NYSE:GOLD) shares are trading lower by 4.5% to $19.08 during Wednesday’s session.

Musk's Ex-Wife Opens Up About Why Life With Elon Was So Difficult

Justine Wilson recently shed light on the complexities of their marriage and the challenges she faced being married to the Tesla CEO.

The Cross-Chain Giant Set for 1,000%+ Gains - Ad

This multi-chain protocol's volume is exploding while its price is still under the radar. Institutions are moving in fast-get our urgent report before retail wakes up.

US Treasury secretary says trade war with China is not 'sustainable'

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary said in a Tuesday speech that the ongoing against China is unsustainable and expects a "de-escalation" in the trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Jeff Sperbeck, former agent for John Elway, dies after injury at 62

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Jeff Sperbeck, a business partner and former agent for NFL Hall of Famer John Elway, died Wednesday after suffering an injury last weekend at a Southern California golf resort community. He was 62.

Elon's Greatest Invention... Hidden in South Memphis? - Ad

Tech legend Jeff Brown recently traveled to the industrial zone of South Memphis to investigate what he believes will be Elon's greatest invention ever... Yes, even bigger than Tesla or SpaceX.

Shiba Inu Burn Rate Skyrockets 2,094%: What Is Going On?

Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) has seen a massive spike in burn activity and on-chain growth, fueling speculation of a

This Intercept Stopped the Gold Sector Cold - Ad

114.26 g/t over 10.6m. That's not a typo. And it wasn't deep exploration-it was in an active mining zone.

Rocket Lab Stock Is Shooting Higher Thursday: What's Fueling The Launch?

Rocket Lab USA Inc (NASDAQ:RKLB) shares are trading higher Thursday after the company announced it was selected by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc (NASDAQ:KTOS) to provide a hypersonic test flight for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

What's Better Than Drinking Award-Winning Beer? - Ad

Owning stock in the brewery that makes it. That's Westbound & Down's story. They blend gold-medal beer with elite dining, creating a brand customers seek. No wonder they're Colorado's most-awarded brewery and are retail partners with Whole Foods. And 1,835% distribution growth's just the start.

Okta Stock Is Climbing After The Bell: Here's The News Bringing Buyers In

Okta shares are rising in extended trading Monday following an announcement that the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Asks,'How Much Did Majorie Taylor Greene Make When She Bought The Dip?'

"Just how much did Marjorie Taylor Greene make when she bought the dip?" Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asks in the caption of a YouTube video calling for a ban on Congressional trading.

Gold Is Being Poured. the Market Hasn't Reacted. - Ad

A test mining program just demonstrated that an experienced mining team has unlocked the value in a built mine atop a high-grade gold deposit. Ore's already been processed. But the stock is still trading like it's early stage. That won't last long.

Swiss leader says Trump administration foresees 'privileged' talks with 15 countries on US tariffs

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss president says Switzerland is among 15 countries with which the United States plans to conduct “privileged” negotiations to help reach a deal in the wake of sweeping U.S. tariffs on dozens of countries that have shaken global markets.

Odyssey Marine Exploration Stock Surges On Continued Momentum: What's Going On?

Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. (NASDAQ: OMEX) shares are trading higher Thursday, extending the momentum from a major intraday spike driven by reports of a forthcoming U.S. executive order favoring the deep-sea mining industry.

A New Gold Discovery in Red Lake? - Ad

Two new gold anomalies just lit up the maps. They sit right beside a restart-ready mine-and follow the exact fold pattern that's made Red Lake world famous.

Bitcoin Breaks $97,000: Could A 'Synthetic Halving' Power A Run To All-Time Highs?

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) has broken the $97,000 level in Thursday trading, and commentators predict an even more explosive move to the upside may be brewing.

World Economic Forum: "Arguably the Most Exciting Human Discovery Since Fire" - Ad

Sam Altman, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg are all investing vast sums of money into a radical technology. According to Bloomberg, this could become 10 times bigger than AI, quantum computing, electric vehicles, cryptocurrencies, and robotics combined. And one stock is at the center of it all.

Warren Buffett's Favorite 'Single Best Measure' For Equities Flashes Buying Signal As US Stocks Rebound

Warren Buffett's favored "Buffett Indicator" suggests U.S. equities may be undervalued, signaling a potential buy opportunity as stocks rebound.

Zio Demand Drives 20% Revenue Growth For iRhythm, Bullish Sentiment Builds Among Analysts

iRhythm raises 2025 sales forecast and launches Zio ECG system in Japan as analysts boost ratings and price targets on strong Q1 performance.

Trump's Crypto Blueprint Unveils This Infrastructure Powerhouse - Ad

One blockchain token sits at the heart of Washington's pro-crypto agenda. Institutions are loading up while it still trades at a discount. Here's how to get in for $3.

A bushel of fruit and vegetable motifs give decor a healthy farmstand vibe

Interior designer and stylist Jonny Carmack has a “fruit room” in his Danbury, Connecticut, home. Colorful faux produce bedecks every inch, from the cherry-shaped ceiling fixture to a strawberry side table and a bunch of other juicy gems in decorative forms.

World Liberty's Stablecoin In $2 Billion Deal, SoFi Reintroduces Crypto And Riot Platforms' Q1 Results: This Week In Crypto

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity in the financial world, with a particular focus on cryptocurrencies. From Peter Schiff’s surprising preference for Dogecoin over Bitcoin to Riot Platforms’ Q1 results, there was no shortage of intriguing developments. Let’s dive into the top stories. Peter Schiff Prefers Dogecoin Over Bitcoin

Nvidia Is About to Shock the World: July 23rd - Ad

Jeff Brown, the tech legend who picked shares of Nvidia in 2016 before they jumped by more than 22,000%, is warning everyone to... Mark this date on your calendar: July 23rd! That's when Nvidia could help send shares of this Elon Musk supplier skyrocketing higher.

Surveillance video shows New York-to-Paris flight stowaway slipping past gate agents

NEW YORK (AP) — The woman who was able to sneak onto a New York-to-Paris flight without a boarding pass late last year was able to get on the plane by glomming onto a group of ticketed passengers as they passed gate agents, new surveillance video shows.

Submarine designers in Connecticut say they'll strike on May 18 if contract deal isn't reached

GROTON, Conn. (AP) — About 2,500 workers at Electric Boat shipyard in Connecticut plan to strike on May 18 if a tentative contract agreement is not reached with the submarine builder, the union president announced during a rally Thursday.

The Most Important "AI Stock" You've Never Heard Of - Ad

The AI revolution is moving faster than anyone expected. But what no one is talking about is the one company AI simply can't exist without. It may be the single most important AI investment, yet most people don't even know its name. For now. The moment Wall Street catches on, this $20 stock could explode.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright smartmoneytrading.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service