Los Angeles, California – Moviegoers are enjoying a record-breaking Thanksgiving at the box office this year, with Walt Disney Animation’s Moana 2 leading the charge in ticket sales. The fantasy musical sequel is on track to make an impressive debut of $215 million to $220 million over the holiday period, setting the stage for a groundbreaking five-day opening that surpasses previous blockbusters.
Moana 2’s stunning performance has exceeded expectations, with global earnings of $192.7 million by Friday, including a domestic haul of $140 million and $52.7 million from overseas markets. The film’s success, along with other big releases like Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II, is propelling the post-pandemic box office to heights unseen since Thanksgiving 2018 when revenue hit $316 million.
Universal’s Wicked is also making waves, with a five-day revenue projection of $118.4 million after a record-breaking $112 million opening weekend. The musical adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, is captivating audiences, especially older female viewers. Similarly, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II is expected to bring in $45 million over the holiday period, adding to its impressive global total.
Moana 2’s journey to the big screen began as a television series before evolving into a theatrical sequel. The movie features new songs from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear and sees the return of voice stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Audiences are eager to join Moana on her latest adventure, despite mixed reviews from critics.
In a box office dominated by Disney hits, Dwayne Johnson’s Red One, and Lionsgate’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are also making their mark, rounding out the top five. With strong audience scores and promising ticket sales, these films are proving to be holiday favorites for moviegoers of all ages.
As the holiday weekend unfolds, movie fans can expect to see these films continue to draw crowds and break records at the box office. The success of Moana 2 and other blockbuster releases is a testament to the enduring appeal of captivating storytelling and engaging performances on the big screen.