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

LOS ANGELES: 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.’

The Wicked and Gladiator 2 box office preview numbers show a clear leader between the two and clarify its comparison with Barbenheimer.