‘Moana 2’ Shatters Box Office Records with $221 Million Opening Weekend
Disney Animation’s highly anticipated sequel, “Moana 2,” has taken the Thanksgiving box office by storm, raking in an astonishing $221 million in its opening weekend. This impressive performance has propelled the holiday weekend to its largest box office haul in cinematic history, reaching an estimated total of $420 million as of Sunday.
Trio of Blockbusters Dominates Box Office
The box office was dominated by a trio of blockbuster films, including Disney’s “Moana 2,” Universal’s “Wicked,” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II.” These films, spanning genres from musical to epic drama to family film, collectively revitalized the theatrical marketplace after a post-summer slowdown, according to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
Leading the pack, “Moana 2” surpassed all expectations with its $221 million five-day performance, setting a new record for the highest Thanksgiving weekend box office earnings ever. This impressive feat outshined the previous record holder, “Frozen II,” which grossed $125 million during the same period in 2019.
‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Join the Success
Alongside “Moana 2,” Universal’s “Wicked” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II” also made significant contributions to the Thanksgiving box office bonanza. “Wicked” soared to $117.5 million in estimated ticket sales, cementing its status as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation domestically with a total of $262.42 million. Meanwhile, “Gladiator II” added $44 million to the holiday total, bringing its domestic haul to $111.2 million and global earnings to $320 million.
Historic Weekend at the Box Office
Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango, emphasized the historic significance of the weekend’s box office performance, highlighting the exceptional success of “Moana 2” alongside its fellow tentpole films. The collective triumph of these blockbusters underscores the enduring importance of moviegoing in our culture, reaffirming its impact and appeal.
This record-breaking Thanksgiving box office haul marks a significant milestone, as it surpasses previous years’ earnings and narrows the gap between 2024 and 2023 box office numbers. The industry’s resilience and recovery from past challenges, including labor strikes and production delays, have propelled this year’s box office to impressive heights, signaling a promising outlook for the future of cinema.
In conclusion, the overwhelming success of “Moana 2,” coupled with the strong performances of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” has not only reinvigorated the box office but also reignited audience enthusiasm for theatrical experiences. As the holiday season continues, moviegoers can look forward to more blockbuster releases and thrilling cinematic experiences in the coming months.
