Walt Disney’s animated sequel “Moana 2” made a remarkable debut, generating an estimated $368 million in global ticket sales through Sunday. This success contributed to the most lucrative Thanksgiving weekend at the U.S. and Canadian box office in history, alongside other big releases like “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.”
Continuing the adventures from the beloved 2016 film, “Moana 2” features Auli’i Cravalho reprising her role as the adventurous title character, joined by Dwayne Johnson as the demigod Maui. Together, they embark on a journey to lift a curse and bring the ocean’s people together.
Originally intended for the Disney+ streaming platform, “Moana 2” exceeded expectations with a remarkable $221 million in domestic sales over the Thanksgiving weekend, outpacing “Frozen 2’s” previous holiday total of $125 million in 2019.
The combined earnings from all films during this holiday period reached $420 million, shattering the previous record of $315.6 million set in 2018, primarily attributed to “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Creed II.”
This impressive turnout indicates a revitalization of the film industry following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about the future of theaters due to the rise of streaming. Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman emphasized that audiences are inclined to attend theaters when presented with compelling, heartfelt movies.
The positive trend is additionally marked by Hollywood’s recovery from last year’s writers’ and actors’ strikes, which previously impacted film schedules. Other films contributing to the Thanksgiving box office milestones include “Wicked,” which earned $117.5 million, and Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator II,” which brought in $44 million.
Despite this weekend’s success, it’s important to note that domestic ticket sales in 2024 remain significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, with a roughly 24% decline compared to 2019 through Sunday. However, analysts predict that the excitement generated this weekend will bolster sales in the coming weeks, especially with several anticipated releases set to hit theaters in December, including “Kraven the Hunter,” the animated “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.”
This Thanksgiving weekend marks a promising moment for the film industry as it continues to recover and adapt, with audiences showing enthusiasm for theatrical releases once again.
In summary, “Moana 2” and its peers have catalyzed a remarkable box office performance, signaling hope for ongoing growth in cinema attendance and renewed appreciation for film experiences.
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