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How ‘Glicked’ Became the Viral Movie Phenomenon of 2024

Mike Oliver

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The Glicked

That summer of 2023 certainly threw a cultural moment into eternity with the release of Barbie and Oppenheimer within the same frame, utterly different films creating a viral phenomenon named Barbenheimer. Flash forward to the next year, and Hollywood seems to want to capture that particular lightning again, this time with another celluloid coupling: Wicked and Gladiator II. 

Enter “Glicked,” the fan-transformed mash-up name that is currently the talk of both moviegoers and social media. This is why Glicked has rightly earned its spot in 2024’s biggest pop culture moments.

What is the Glicked?

Glicked is the result of a literal reflection on Wicked and Gladiator II as it brings into one word two blockbusters awaited by the masses this holiday season, sharing the same premieres. Each of these films has its own undeniable notoriety, with Wicked gaining notoriety as the adaptation of the famous Broadway musical and Gladiator II continuing the grandiose storytelling started by Ridley Scott’s all-time favorite from 2000 about ancient Rome. As different as they are in tones and themes, these films are by and large receiving double-teaming endorsements by fans and, thus, also became a viral trend just like “Barbenheimer.”

Both films top Fandango’s holiday movie survey of what most anticipated consumers are looking forward to, with 65 percent of respondents saying they want to “Glicked.” Opening weekend forecasts are impressive: Wicked is projected to make $100 million domestically, while Gladiator II is forecast to open around $65 million, giving them a combined debut total of $165 million. While they don’t nearly reach Barbie and Oppenheimer’s record-breaking opening weekend of $244 million, it does prove that event cinema continues to flourish.

Why “Glicked” Resonates

Much like “Barbenheimer,” the very notion of “Glicked” is already in part its appeal. Wondrous flights into Oz, songs, and bright pictures from Wicked have given contrast against the fighting, historical drama of the action-thriller Gladiator II. This clash of moods has inspired fans to create a great many memes and fan trailers, whose numbers keep increasing with every passing day as social media amplifies the hype in the weeks ahead of opening. 

It is not just the movies that the ‘Glicked’ phenomenon describes. There is more to it than that: it alludes to our collective need for communal experiences. With this rough year of economic destitutions, plus strikes across the industry from teleprompters to cinematographers, a “day in two great blockbuster worlds” feels like a change for most audiences. In this respect, theatres have taken a move toward double-feature packages and themed concessions. 

Breaking Down the Films

Wicked

Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is a lavish adaptation of the hit musical, which itself is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel. The story reworks The Wizard of Oz in the mind of Elphaba, the mistakenly misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (later Glinda), the bouncy self-absorbed Good Witch. 

The cast includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. In exploring the plot of this film struck with prejudice, ambition, and friendship, audiences will get to see their views of the characters change from what they assumed they knew. Featuring its grand musical numbers-including the iconic “Defying Gravity”-and with stunning visually set pieces, Wicked, indeed, provides the most awaited spectacle for die-hard fans of stage shows.

Gladiator II

The sequel launches the story several years after the events in the original film and draws on the elements of epic from its predecessor to tell a completely new generation of characters. Ridley Scott is at the helm of this feature, casting Paul Mescal in the lead role of Lucius, who is now grown and has become the son of Concys character in the first film. The rest of the star-studded roster includes Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, and Derek Jacobi.

Apart from intense battle sequences and political intrigue, Gladiator II promises themes of legacy, revenge, and the pernicious effects of power. While not exactly colorfully funny like Wicked, its weight and spectacle would serve as an appropriate match for the “Glicked” double feature.

The Power of Viral Marketing

Such is the reality by which “Glicked” has alluded to the hordes of audience-directed engagement audiences today. Memes like “Barbenheimer” transformed last summer’s biggest box office weekend into a world event-this time, “Glicked” speaks to audience-driven content that would mix laughter with intense anticipation. Some viral trends– What is Your Glicked Order? mashup trailers, would also create the illusion of making this a must-see movie event. 

Also, studios have leaned into the phenomenon with joint promotions and cross-references in interviews and marketing materials. Those do not only multiply the clamor but also show how Hollywood is adapting to an entirely new era of audience-driven narratives.

Conclusion

Whether “Glicked” has the same potential for cultural longevity as “Barbenheimer” is yet to be seen, but its effectiveness is already proven by the collective power it holds: it has become the ardent testament of collective movie-going vis-a-vis a very demanding industry where streaming giants threaten, and franchise fatigue abounds. Glicked reminds us of the magic of the showing and the thrill of experiencing it together with other people.

Singing “Popular” along with Glinda or cheering Lucius in the Colosseum and everything else in between is what “Glicked” has to offer. And in a year when we could use some of that extra escapism, it is worth celebrating.