‘Moana 2’ Smashes Records, Leads Historic Thanksgiving Box Office

Disney’s Moana 2 is making waves at the Thanksgiving box office, with projections estimating a monumental $215 million to $220 million in ticket sales over the five-day holiday period. Released on Wednesday, the animated sequel has quickly become a mega-hit, surpassing expectations and setting the stage to break multiple records. It’s on track to secure the highest Thanksgiving opening ever, eclipsing previous Disney blockbusters like Frozen II ($125 million) and The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($204.6 million). This feat further cements Moana 2 as a cultural and commercial powerhouse.

The Thanksgiving box office is also buoyed by strong performances from Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II, both in their second week of domestic screenings. Together, these films are creating a post-pandemic cinematic milestone, with total ticket sales across the weekend expected to surpass $200 million. Analysts believe this could make Thanksgiving 2024 one of the top three highest-earning periods in cinema history.

For Disney, the success of Moana 2 is a welcome triumph, reinforcing its dominance in animated storytelling. With a heartfelt narrative, stunning visuals, and the beloved return of its iconic characters, the sequel is drawing audiences of all ages to theaters. This record-breaking weekend not only signals a revitalization of holiday moviegoing traditions but also sets a high bar for future Thanksgiving releases. The combined power of these blockbusters underscores a triumphant comeback for the movie industry, proving that cinema’s magic is alive and thriving.