Box Office Bonanza: ‘Moana 2’ Makes Thanksgiving History
This Thanksgiving, movie theaters have something to truly be thankful for: an unprecedented wave of audience enthusiasm, culminating in record-breaking ticket sales. Leading the charge is Disney’s "Moana 2," which sailed into theaters to smash box office records, marking a triumphant return for the Polynesian princess.
"Moana 2" made a splash with a jaw-dropping $135.5 million opening weekend, shattering the previous Thanksgiving weekend record set by "Frozen II" in 2019. The film’s five-day total reached an astounding $221 million, obliterating the previous top spot held by "Frozen II" ($125 million) and "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" ($109 million). These numbers not only solidify "Moana 2" as the biggest Thanksgiving debut in history, but also surpass even the overall five-day opening record held by Universal’s earlier 2023 behemoth, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ ($205.6 million).
"‘Moana 2’ has far surpassed our high expectations this weekend and is a testament to the phenomenon that ‘Moana’ has become,” said Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman in a statement. “This is a moment to celebrate, and we’re thankful to all the moviegoers and fans who’ve helped make this a record-breaking debut.”
The success of "Moana 2" isn’t alone. "Wicked" and "Gladiator II," both released last weekend, continue to draw audiences, contributing to the biggest Thanksgiving period on record. Together, the trio of blockbuster films have grossed approximately $422 million across all films, easily surpassing the previous benchmark set in 2018, a feat no one anticipated after 2023’s disappointing theatrical turnout.
This year, audiences haven’t just braved the theaters; they’ve embraced them with open arms. "Wicked," the highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, soared to the number two spot, earning $80 million over the traditional weekend and $117.5 million over the five-day holiday stretch. With a total of $262.4 million domestically and $359.2 million globally, "Wicked" has already become the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in domestic box office history, surpassing 1978’s "Grease" ($188.62 million).
While "Gladiator II," Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel, took third place with $30.7 million over the traditional weekend and $44 million over the five-day frame, it still demonstrates the continued pull of epic historical adventures.
Adding further to the excitement is "Moana 2"’s impressive international performance, opening ahead of expectations with $165 million for a impressive global tally of $386.3 million. It joins other Disney successes like June’s "Inside Out 2" ($1.6 billion) and July’s "Deadpool & Wolverine" ($1.3 billion) as theatrical triumphs, helping to rebound Disney’s studio after facing a difficult year in 2023.
Originally intended as a Disney+ exclusive, the decision to transition "Moana 2" to a theatrical release proves truly advantageous. Nickelodeon’s "Avatar: The Last Airbender" grabbed headlines back in July for its successful leap from streaming to cinemas, and Disney is clearly hoping for a similar outcome with "Moana 2."
The original "Moana" became a phenomenon, soaring to $680 million at the global box office. In 2023, it was the most-streamed movie on Nielsen, suggesting a potentially fervent fanbase ready for more adventures with Maui and Moana.
"This was originally envisioned as a direct-to-Disney+ streaming production before it was shifted to a theatrical release at the start of the year. Smart decision,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “These are gigantic numbers."
With an "A-" CinemaScore, "Moana 2" has captured audiences’ hearts. While critics remain somewhat divided with a 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s popularity speaks for itself, signaling a bright future and possibly even surpassing the legacy of the original movie.
## “Moana 2” Makes Waves: an Expert Interview
**World Today News** sat down with renowned box office analyst **Dr. Amelia Stone** to understand the significance of “Moana 2” shattering Thanksgiving weekend records.
**World Today News:** Dr.Stone, “moana 2” has sailed to the top of the box office charts with record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend numbers. This was beyond anyone’s wildest predictions. What factors contributed to this phenomenal success?
**Dr. Stone:** This isn’t simply riding the coattails of the original “Moana.” This is a cultural phenomenon reignited. Nostalgia played a important role, tapping into the deep affection audiences, notably families, hold for Moana and the Polynesian world she inhabits. Disney has cleverly capitalized on that by crafting a sequel that both honors the original and expands its universe in exciting new ways. The early reviews praising the animation, music, and story certainly fueled the hype.
**World today News:** The film even surpassed “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which held the record for the biggest five-day opening of 2023. How does “Moana 2″ achieve this feat amid such fierce competition?
**Dr. Stone:** “Super Mario Bros.” was undoubtedly a powerhouse, but it catered to a slightly narrower demographic, whereas ”Moana 2″ has a broader appeal. It’s a film that transcends age and cultural boundaries. It’s visually stunning, musically captivating, and emotionally resonant – a winning formula for a family audience looking for a shared cinematic experience. Additionally, Disney’s strategic release timing, aligning with the Thanksgiving holiday, ensured maximum audience availability.
**World Today News:** What are the implications of “Moana 2’s” success for the future of animated films?
**Dr. Stone:** This is a clear signal that audiences are craving high-quality, imaginative storytelling with a strong emotional core.Sequels can be triumphant, but they need to break new ground creatively. “Moana 2” showcases the potential of sequels to elevate the franchise rather than simply rehashing past glories. It emphasizes the importance of investing in strong
creative teams and fostering themes of diversity and portrayal.
**World Today News:** Many speculate this could be the start of a new box office era for Disney animation. Do you agree?
**Dr. Stone:** While it’s too early to definitively declare a new era, “Moana 2″ has undoubtedly set a very high bar. if Disney consistently delivers this level of quality and innovation, it’s poised to continue dominating the animated landscape. Their success will likely inspire other studios to step up their game and push the boundaries of what’s possible in animation.
**World Today News:** Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Dr. Stone.
**Dr. stone:** It was my pleasure.
This Thanksgiving, moviegoers across the globe have truly shown their appreciation for “Moana 2.” It won’t be surprising if this polynesian princess continues to reign over the box office for weeks to come.
