Moana 2 Takes the Thanksgiving Box Office by Storm
Disney’s Moana 2 has made waves this holiday season, breaking records and thrilling audiences with its spectacular opening. Released on November 27, 2024, the animated sequel has surpassed the previous Thanksgiving weekend record once held by Frozen II, propelling itself to astonishing box office heights.
Just after the release, reports highlight how Moana 2 made $57.5 million during its opening day, followed by another $28 million on Thanksgiving Day. This record-breaking performance has led to estimates indicating the film could gross between $215 and $220 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday. This feat not only breaks Frozen II’s record but sets new benchmarks for the holiday box office.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this year’s total Thanksgiving box office take is set to surpass $425 million, making it the highest-grossing Thanksgiving holiday ever. Moana’s return has clearly rekindled audience interest and kicked off the season with high spirits.
While some critics have been lukewarm about the sequel, Moana 2 has received significant approval from audiences, holding a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes along with strong word-of-mouth reflected in its 87% positive audience score. Fans have praised the sequel for its advanced animation quality, heartfelt storytelling, and its ability to capture the essence of the beloved original.
This impressive opening has generated excitement and buzz, not just for Moana 2 but also for the entire Disney brand, which has faced mixed results with previous titles like Strange World and Wish. The success of this sequel points to Disney’s strategy of leveraging nostalgia and beloved characters to secure box office triumph.
Alongside Moana 2, other films have been drawing substantial crowds this holiday, particularly Universal’s Wicked, which opened on November 22 and is estimated to rake in approximately $105 million over the same five-day period.
It’s noteworthy how the momentum from Moana 2 is expected to invigorate theaters, which have been slowly recovering from the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cinema chains across the country are welcoming the influx of ticket sales as these blockbuster films, including Denzel Washington's Gladiator II, continue to attract families during the festive season.
The film industry’s resilience can be seen through the increasing box office revenues, which are seen as encouraging signs for Hollywood moving forward. It’s reported by various sources, including Deadline and Variety, how Moana’s spectacular showing also sets it up for possibly outpacing the first Moana movie's global earnings, which were just over $643 million.
Over the course of its theatrical run, Moana and Maui's new adventures have captivated families and animation lovers alike. The sequel’s narrative continues from where the original left off, exploring themes of family heritage and adventure. With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprising his role as Maui and Auli’i Cravalho returning as Moana, the film remains rooted in its original appeal.
This Thanksgiving weekend also highlighted how animated films continue to dominate the box office during the holidays. The impressive performance of Moana 2 and the success of titles like Wicked and Gladiator II demonstrate the public's appetite for high-quality storytelling during what has historically been one of the busiest moviegoing seasons.
Disney’s ability to create engaging and family-friendly content, coupled with high-quality animation and captivating storylines, remains unparalleled. Moana 2 is not just setting records; it’s reaffirming Disney’s position as the leader of holiday entertainment.
The anticipation surrounding Moana 2 also extends beyond its immediate success. The filmmakers and studio executives are undoubtedly taking note of the audience reaction, possibly laying the groundwork for even future projects linked to this beloved franchise.
Overall, the box office success of Moana 2 reflects not only the film’s quality and popularity but also the resilience of theaters and the industry at large as they emerge from challenging times. Audiences are eager to enjoy magical cinema once again, and this Thanksgiving, it appears Moana's cinematic voyage has only just begun.