Walt Disney’s animated sequel “Moana 2” has made a spectacular debut, grossing an estimated $368 million in global ticket sales by Sunday. The film, which also stars Auli’i Cravalho as the titular character and Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui, sets sail on an adventure to lift a curse and unite ocean communities. Its release, coupled with other films such as “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” contributed to the most successful Thanksgiving weekend in box office history for both the U.S. and Canada.
With a staggering $221 million earned in domestic ticket sales alone from Wednesday through Sunday, “Moana 2” surpassed the earlier holiday record set by “Frozen 2,” which brought in $125 million in 2019. The combined box office total for all films this weekend reached $420 million, exceeding the previous record of $315.6 million from 2018, which featured hits like “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Creed II.”
This weekend’s impressive earnings come as a much-needed boost for the film industry, which has faced challenges from prolonged pandemic closures and concerns over audience turnout in the wake of streaming service popularity. Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, emphasized that a movie built on heart and humor has the power to draw audiences back to the theaters.
The strong ticket sales signal Hollywood’s recovery following disruptions from last year’s writers’ and actors’ strikes, despite the industry’s performance still lagging significantly behind pre-pandemic figures. Data shows that year-to-date domestic sales were down about 24% compared to 2019, although the Thanksgiving results narrowed this gap.
Looking ahead, analysts predict that the momentum generated this weekend will carry into the weeks to come, with several potential box office hits expected to release in December, such as “Kraven the Hunter,” animated “Lord of the Rings: the War of the Rohirrim,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
In summary, the record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend showcases a revitalization of cinema attendance and the enduring appeal of quality film-making that resonates with audiences. The combination of beloved characters and engaging stories is paving the way for a hopeful future in the film industry.
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