‘Moana 2’ sails to a record $221 million opening as Hollywood celebrates a feast for movie goers

The holiday movie season started with a bang as Moana 2 dominated the Thanksgiving weekend box office, pulling in a massive $221 million globally, according to studio estimates.

The animated sequel spearheaded a record-breaking weekend alongside Wicked and Gladiator II, with ticket sales topping $420 million—a new high for Thanksgiving cinema.

“Moana 2” Makes Waves with Record-Breaking Debut

Originally envisioned as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 exceeded all expectations when it hit the big screen. With $165.3 million in international sales, its worldwide opening of $386 million marks the second-highest global debut of the year. Its domestic five-day opening of $221 million shattered the previous Thanksgiving record held by Frozen 2 in 2019.

Disney’s decision to pivot Moana 2 from streaming to theaters has proven lucrative. Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, hailed the move as a game-changer. “The decision to bring Moana 2 to theaters was one of Disney’s smartest plays,” he said. The film’s success further signals a rebound for Disney after the underwhelming performances of recent animated releases like Strange World and Wish.

Broadway’s “Wicked” Enchants Audiences

Universal Pictures’ Wicked held its ground, earning $117.5 million over the five-day weekend. The film, now the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation of all time (unadjusted for inflation), has raked in $359.2 million globally in just two weeks. With rave reviews and strong word of mouth, Wicked is expected to remain a holiday season juggernaut.

“Gladiator II” Stays Strong

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II continued to perform well, bringing in $44 million in its second weekend despite a 44% drop in ticket sales. With $320 million globally so far, the $250 million sequel is on track to achieve profitability, though its steep budget poses challenges.

A Triumph for the Movie Industry

The Thanksgiving weekend’s $420 million haul is a much-needed win for theaters, which have faced challenges from the pandemic and streaming’s rise. Michael O’Leary, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, sees the weekend as a turning point. “This weekend shows the power of great movies and the big screen,” he said. “We’re optimistic about what’s to come in 2025 and beyond.”

The weekend’s box office triumph mirrors the success of last year’s Barbenheimer, proving that competition among blockbusters can drive audiences back to theaters. O’Leary added, “For too long, studios avoided pitting major films against each other. But this weekend proves competition is great for everyone, especially moviegoers.”

What’s Next for the Holiday Season?

As Moana 2, Wicked, and Gladiator II continue to draw crowds, the Christmas lineup looks promising with releases like Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Searchlight’s A Complete Unknown featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan.

Thanksgiving Weekend Box Office Estimates

1. Moana 2: $135 million
2. Wicked: $80 million
3. Gladiator II: $30.7 million
4. Red One: $12.9 million
5. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: $3.3 million
6. Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin: $2.4 million
7. Venom: The Last Dance: $2.2 million
8. Heretic: $956,797
9. The Wild Robot: $670,000
10. A Real Pain: $665,000

With Moana 2 riding high and family moviegoing on the rise, this Thanksgiving weekend has proven that Hollywood’s blockbuster magic is alive and well.