Moanapocalypse has arrived at the Thanksgiving box office, where a record bounty awaits Hollywood and theater owners.
Disney’s fantasy musical Moana 2 opened to a record-shattering $57.5 million on Wednesday, including $13.8 million in previews, for an estimated five-day opening of $175 million-plus (Wednesday through Sunday). Rival studios show the animated sequel opening north of $200 million — as in $225 million or more — but Disney won’t comment until Friday so as to avoid what happened last weekend when Wicked and Gladiator II came in millions lower than estimated.
Either way, Moana 2 will shatter numerous records in its launch, including become the top Thanksgiving opening of all time for the five days, beating Frozen ($94 million). It will also pass up Frozen II ($125 million) to become the top earner for the five days. And it already has served up the top opening day ever for a Walt Disney Animation title and the third-biggest opening day for any animated title behind Incredibles 2 and Inside Out 2, not adjusted for inflation. It was also the third-biggest day of 2024 to date behind Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2.
Among other milestones, it could become the biggest five-day opening of all time.
The Disney animated family pic was originally developed as a television series before being reworked as a theatrical sequel. The first Moana — original songs were provided by Lin-Manuel Miranda — was a solid but not spectacular performer at the box office in 2016 before transforming into a cultural sensation, including being the most streamed film across all platforms in 2023. Featuring new songs from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Moana 2 counts Christina Chen and Yvett Merino as producers.
Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel reunites voice stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. The story follows Moana as she embarks on an unexpected adventure in long-lost waters after receiving a call from her ancestors. Johnson reprises his role as demigod Maui.
Reviewers haven’t been kind to Moana 2, compared to the first film, but it is hardly impacting interest. The movie’s audience score (now known as the “popcornmeter”) on Rotten Tomatoes is already at 88 percent, while it earned an A- CinemaScore (compared to an A for Moana) and is garnering strong exits on PostTrak. Its critics score on Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at 66 percent, versus 95 percent for the first film.
Thanks to the potent combination of Disney’s Moana sequel, Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II, overall five-day revenue should reach a new high for the long Turkey Day holiday, or well north of $315 million.
Jon M. Chu‘s Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, has also enjoyed a record-breaking run so far, and is expected to gross $97.1 million for the five-day holiday corridor after opening to $112 million last weekend to rank as the top-grossing adaptation of a Broadway musical. It is expected to finish Sunday with north of $240 million in domestic ticket sales.
Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator II is perched in third place and should carve up a pleasing $40 million for the five days. The film’s high-profile cast includes Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal.
Numbers will be updated Sunday.
