A Record-Breaking Opening

In a stunning display of box office power, Walt Disney Animation Studios has achieved its largest domestic animation debut ever with the much-anticipated release of Moana 2. Over its opening three-day weekend, the film raked in an impressive $135.5 million, and with a five-day total reaching $221 million, Moana 2 has officially dethroned Frozen II (2019), which previously held the record with its three-day opening of $130.2 million and a five-day total of $163.8 million.

Thanksgiving Weekend Milestones

But that’s not all! Disney is celebrating multiple domestic milestones this Thanksgiving weekend: - The highest Thanksgiving weekend gross of all time! - The largest Thanksgiving Day earnings, hitting $28 million! - Biggest Black Friday at the box office, raking in $54.5 million! - The biggest five-day opening ever recorded!

Comparative Performance

While Moana 2 did not surpass the five-day opening of The Lion King remake ($243.2 million), it nonetheless made waves by overtaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie's five-day total of $204.6 million, thanks to Hollywood’s accounting methods that count openings differently.

Significance for Disney

For Disney, this success is especially vital following a series of underwhelming releases such as Wish and Strange World. The film’s remarkable opening places it as the fifth-best animated film launch in history, behind heavyweights like The Lion King and Incredibles 2.

Global Reception

On the global stage, audiences showed tremendous support, with Moana 2 earning $165 million internationally. This brings the film's total box office receipts to a jaw-dropping $386 million for the weekend. France emerged as the leading international territory, where the film amassed $18.8 million, marking the highest animated opening weekend in that market. It also achieved the second-best animated opening weekends in Italy and Brazil, showcasing the film's immense appeal across various regions.

Top Foreign Markets

In Latin America, Walt Disney Animation Studios reported record-breaking launches across the region, as well as impressive performances in over 30 individual markets worldwide, including key territories such as France, Italy, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. The top foreign markets include: - France: $18.8 million - U.K.: $15.5 million - Mexico: $11.1 million - Germany: $10.5 million - Italy: $9.3 million - South Korea: $9.1 million - Australia: $8.3 million - Brazil: $7.5 million - China: $6.5 million - Spain: $5.5 million

Conclusion

As audiences flock to theaters to witness the story of Moana continue, Disney's Moana 2 stands as a testament to the studio's enduring legacy in animation and storytelling. Could this phenomenal success set the stage for even more sequels? Only time will tell!