It’s been an incredible Thanksgiving at the box office, with multiple blockbuster movies shattering records and defying predictions. Top of the list is the Disney animation film “Moana 2,” which has now become the biggest Thanksgiving release ever.
The “Moana 2” box office record is also the highest first five-day domestic grossing outcome ever. In addition, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have also impressed. “Moana 2,” a rebound from the first installment, which was released in 2016, was one of the most anticipated movies of 2024.
But we never really know how well a movie will perform until it opens in theaters. To the filmmakers’ delight, the movie, which featured Dwayne Johnson, didn’t disappoint. With over $221 million in its first five days, the movie has toppled its competitors and broken multiple records.
It is now the highest-grossing domestic movie in its five-day debut. Released on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the movie also clinched the top spot among the biggest-ever Thanksgiving weekend releases (for the three-day and five-day categories).
That’s not all! “Moana 2” box office results also made it both the biggest Thanksgiving release and the biggest black Friday release. With its other Thanksgiving peers, such as “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” “Moana 2” has delivered the biggest-ever Thanksgiving weekend at the box office.
The three movies delivered a record Thanksgiving total of $420 million. It beat the former record of $315.6 million earned by releases such as “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” “Creed II,” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.”
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Moana 2 Box Office: A Record-Breaking Spree
On its way to a record-breaking journey, “Moana 2” beat the former top-grossing movie on Thanksgiving by more than $5 million. Until now, “The Super Mario Bros” movie held the position since its Thanksgiving debut in November 2023 with $204.6 million. “Moana 2” also nearly reached double the $15 million Thanksgiving day record of “Frozen 2.”
Paul Dergarabedian, a top Disney media analyst has commented on the surprise success of the movie. “Not only did we surpass the previous records for Thanksgiving,” he stated. “This sets a completely new standard for what is possible over the Thanksgiving holiday for movie theaters,” he continued.
The analyst also mentioned that the movie exceeded expert predictions by over $100 million, solid proof that the movie idea resonated well with movie buffs. The second “Moana” installment is set in old Polynesia, where Moana, the daughter of an Island, goes on a dreadful mission to save her people.
Wicked and Gladiator II Also Shone on Thanksgiving Weekend
Two other movies that contributed a great deal to this year’s Thanksgiving haul are Universal Studio’s “Wicked” and Paramount Picture’s “Gladiator II.” The two projects also beat expectations at the box office, drawing surprising revenue even during Thanksgiving weekend.
After raking in $114 million in its first weekend, many people thought that Wicked’s steam was about to run out. For the more optimistic ones, probably a few believed the movie would amass an additional $80 million on Thanksgiving weekend.
So far, “Wicked” has earned $359 million worldwide, and the amount keeps going high. At the moment, it has snatched the position of the biggest Broadway film adaptation that ever held sway in local theaters. The story is no different from the ancient Rome movie “Gladiator II.”
Surrounded by the skepticism that usually follows sequels, especially those of blockbuster movies, “Gladiator II” also had much to prove. Thankfully, it did a great job on its first weekend with $55 million.
But what most people didn’t see coming was the additional $30.7 million it received on Thanksgiving weekend. Usually, its revenue should have tanked considerably by the next weekend, but it has managed to post impressive numbers. The movie owes its success largely to its quality and the positive Moana 1 reviews. The Disney brand is also a major factor.
How Much Is Moana 2 Predicted To Make?
With $389 million amassed globally so far, “Moana 2” has also worn the crown as the highest-ever grossing animated movie in its first weekend. The former record holder was “Inside Out 2,” which raked in about $100 million less. But the movie’s success tells a different story from what predictors told.
Before the holidays, analysts stated that the movie would be a success. However, they didn’t see it surpassing the $250 million to $300 million range. But as we entered the middle of the weekend, predictions became more positive, rising as high as $375 million on the global stage.
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Was Moana 2 a Box Office Success?
The “Moana 2” box office results are super-impressive. For the movie to best Broadway adaptations, including “Wicked,” is a huge feat on its own. Interestingly, there’s still a promising future ahead. The movie doesn’t seem likely to be troubled by any major rivals till December 20th.
Fortunately, it could also benefit from the usual Christmas boost that will keep it suspended in the air even into the new year. If it retains momentum going into 2025, it could survive on it for a long while, just like Moana waded through the obstacles set by the god of storms, Nalo. From every indication, the journey ahead remains juicy for “Moana 2” box office success.
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