Moana 2 has made a spectacular splash at the box office, setting a new record for the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend ever. The Disney animated sequel raked in an impressive $221 million in its five-day domestic opening, far surpassing analysts’ expectations of $100 million. This marks the highest Thanksgiving weekend performance of a film ever, beating out 2019’s “Frozen II,” which earned $125 million during the same period.
The success of “Moana 2” was part of a broader trend that saw the Thanksgiving holiday weekend reach a total of $420 million in ticket sales, the biggest haul in cinematic history. This was fueled by the combined performances of “Moana 2,” Universal’s “Wicked,” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II,” which together created a perfect storm at the box office.
“Moana 2” follows the adventures of Moana, the daughter of an island chief, as she embarks on a treacherous journey to break a Polynesian god’s curse and save her people. The film’s success is a testament to the enduring appeal of the original “Moana” and Disney’s ability to captivate audiences with its storytelling and animation.
The record-breaking performance of “Moana 2” is a significant milestone for Disney, which has faced challenges in recent years with some of its animated films underperforming at the box office. However, with the success of “Moana 2” and other recent hits like “Inside Out 2,” Disney is poised to continue its strong presence in theaters.
The Thanksgiving weekend success also highlights the importance of moviegoing in our culture, with audiences eager to return to theaters for high-quality family films. As the theatrical marketplace continues to recover from the post-pandemic slump, “Moana 2” stands as a shining example of what is possible when a film exceeds expectations and resonates with audiences.
