Moana 2 Dominates Thanksgiving Weekend

Disney's Moana 2, the sequel to the beloved animated classic, made history over the Thanksgiving weekend with an extraordinary $220 million opening in North America. This record-breaking debut marks the largest Thanksgiving weekend opening ever, according to Exhibitor Relations.

The performance of Moana 2 far surpassed the three-day debut of its predecessor, Moana (2016). Originally planned as a direct-to-Disney+ release, the strategic decision to showcase the film in theaters paid off handsomely, delivering incredible results.

Moana 2: An Epic Seafaring Adventure Continues

In Moana 2, the spirited Polynesian heroine Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, sets out on a daring oceanic quest to break a curse cast by a vengeful god. She is joined by Maui, the once-mighty demigod voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as they work together to restore a mystical island that once connected the scattered islands of Oceania.

Thanksgiving Weekend Shatters Box Office Records

The Thanksgiving weekend proved to be a monumental success for the North American box office, generating a historic $422 million in revenue. This achievement not only underscores the incredible performance of Moana 2 but also highlights a strong recovery for the film industry during the holiday season.

Wicked: Part I Holds Strong in Second Place

Universal's Wicked: Part I, the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, maintained its momentum, earning $117 million over the five-day holiday stretch. Its cumulative box office earnings now stand at $262 million in just two weeks.

Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, Wicked: Part I has reignited enthusiasm for musicals, paving the way for its sequel, Wicked: Part 2, set to debut next year.

Gladiator II Claims Third Spot

Paramount's Gladiator II secured third place with $44 million in five-day earnings, bringing its two-week total to $111 million. Directed by Ridley Scott, the sequel introduces thrilling new elements, including sharks and baboons in the Roman arena, while showcasing performances by Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.

Other Thanksgiving Box Office Highlights

  • Fourth Place: Red One (Amazon and MGM) grossed $18.7 million. Starring Dwayne Johnson, the festive comedy follows a North Pole security officer searching for a kidnapped Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons).
  • Fifth Place: Lionsgate's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever earned $4.9 million with its heartwarming tale of six misbehaving siblings accidentally landing lead roles in their town's Christmas play.

The Complete Top 10

  1. Bonhoeffer - $3.2 million
  2. Venom: The Last Dance - $3.1 million
  3. The Wild Robot - $1 million
  4. Heretic - $957,000
  5. A Real Pain - $900,000

Moana 2 Leads a Record-Setting Holiday Season

The phenomenal success of Moana 2 has solidified its status as a family favorite while setting a new benchmark for Thanksgiving box office openings. Alongside hits like Wicked: Part I and Gladiator II, the holiday weekend has delivered a strong boost to the North American box office, reaffirming its vibrant future.