Moana 2 Sets Thanksgiving Box Office Record

Disney's Moana 2 has made history by achieving the highest Thanksgiving box office debut ever. The animated sequel garnered an impressive $221 million USD over the five-day holiday period, surpassing the previous record held by Frozen II, which debuted with $125 million USD in 2019, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which earned $109 million USD in 2013. This remarkable performance marks the largest five-day debut in cinematic history, even exceeding the success of Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in 2023. Additionally, the three-day box office total represents the best opening for Walt Disney Animation to date, significantly exceeding initial estimates of $135 million to $145 million USD.

 

Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, expressed gratitude in a statement, saying, “This is a moment to celebrate, and we’re thankful to all the moviegoers and fans who’ve helped make this a record-breaking debut.” Moana 2 faced competition from Universal's adaptation of Wicked and Paramount’s action film Gladiator II. Together, these three major releases generated approximately $422 million USD over the Thanksgiving weekend, with Wicked coming in second at the box office with $117.5 million USD during the five-day holiday stretch.

Moana Trivia:

1. Name Meaning: The name "Moana" means "ocean" in several Polynesian languages, reflecting the film's strong connection to the sea.

2. Cultural Inspiration: The character of Moana is inspired by Polynesian mythology and the culture of the Pacific Islands, where voyaging and navigation are significant traditions.

3. Voice Actor: Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana, was only 14 years old when she was cast for the role, making her one of the youngest Disney princesses.

4. Song Success: The song "How Far I'll Go," performed by Moana in the film, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and became a popular anthem of empowerment.

5. Box Office Hit: The original Moana film, released in 2016, grossed over $643 million worldwide, making it one of Disney's most successful animated films of all time.