Moana 2 breaks box office record with $221 million opening
nd in late December. “Moana 2” exceeded expectations with its $221 million opening, breaking records for Thanksgiving movie releases. Originally planned for Disney+, the decision to release it in theaters paid off big time, with an additional $165.3 million internationally, bringing its global total to $386 million.
Not to be outdone, “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” also had strong showings at the box office, with “Wicked” making $117.5 million over the long weekend and “Gladiator II” bringing in $44 million in its second weekend. The combined success of these three films propelled the overall box office to a record-breaking $420 million in Thanksgiving weekend ticket sales, marking a major comeback for the industry after pandemic-related setbacks.
The decision to release “Moana 2” in theaters rather than on Disney+ proved to be a smart move, with the film becoming one of Disney’s biggest hits of the year. Along with “Moana 2,” Disney is also hoping for box office success with “Mufasa: The Lion King” in the upcoming holiday season.
Overall, the weekend’s success has industry experts hopeful for the future of moviegoing, with families returning to theaters in large numbers. This resurgence in family moviegoing is expected to bring in approximately $6.8 billion in ticket sales for 2024. As we look forward to the holiday season, the question remains whether Christmas releases can match the success of the Thanksgiving lineup. Only time will tell, but with films like “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and “A Complete Unknown” on the horizon, the box office is sure to remain a lively and exciting place for moviegoers.
