Box Office: 'Gladiator III' Dominates With Historic $145M US Opening Weekend

Paramount's 'Gladiator III' has conquered the domestic box office, debuting to a spectacular $145.2 million across North American theaters. This marks a record-breaking opening for the historic franchise and breathes new life into summer box office figures.

International numbers were equally stunning, adding another $188 million across 72 markets, bringing the global opening total to a massive $333.2 million. Audiences rewarded the film with an 'A-' CinemaScore, indicating strong word of mouth that should carry it through the busy summer weeks.

Coming in second place was Disney's animated sequel 'Meadow Tales', which pulled a respectable $32 million in its third week. The box office momentum is expected to continue next weekend with the release of 'Redline Velocity' in limited theatres before hitting streaming.