Moana 2's Anticipated Success

As families gather for Thanksgiving, all eyes are on the box office, where Disney's highly anticipated animated sequel, "Moana 2," is making a splash. The film is set to debut in approximately 4,200 theaters across North America on Wednesday, targeting an impressive opening weekend haul of between $135 million and $145 million. This figure could propel "Moana 2" to claim the title for the biggest Thanksgiving opening ever, surpassing the previous record held by Disney's own "Frozen II" which raked in $125 million back in 2019.

Global Box Office Projections

Globally, "Moana 2" is projected to take in an additional $100 million, bringing its total international earnings to around $235 million. This surge in sales has been fueled by early ticket presales and the vibrant buzz surrounding the film, which positions it as another potential blockbuster for Disney in 2024, following the phenomenal success of earlier releases like "Inside Out 2" and "Deadpool & Wolverine," which grossed staggering amounts of $1.6 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.

The Original Moana's Impact

It's worth noting that the original "Moana," which premiered in 2016, debuted to a solid $82 million over the extended Thanksgiving weekend, ultimately grossing $680 million worldwide. Recently, its popularity surged again, becoming the most streamed movie in the U.S. in 2023, amassing 11.6 billion minutes viewed on platforms like Disney+. This enduring popularity has also encouraged Disney to work on a live-action adaptation of "Moana," slated for release in 2026.

Cast and Storyline

In this sequel, Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho reprise their beloved roles as Maui and Moana. The story takes audiences on a thrilling quest into the ocean as Moana seeks a hidden island to break a powerful curse. While iconic songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, who penned memorable tracks for the first film, did not return for the sequel, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear have taken over the songwriting duties, gaining recognition for "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical."

Thanksgiving Box Office Landscape

Thanksgiving has historically been a busy time for movie-going, and this year is no different. With additional heavyweights like "Wicked" and "Gladiator II" hitting theaters, experts predict a record turnout. "Wicked," which recently opened to $129 million domestically, is expected to pull in around $60 million over the holiday weekend, while "Gladiator II" is tracking to earn approximately $33 million over the same period.

A Hopeful Return

After a disappointing Thanksgiving box office in 2023, where total earnings plummeted to just $125 million—markedly lower than previous years—this year’s strong lineup of films brings hope for a healthy recovery. Movie theaters, still rebounding from the challenges posed by the pandemic, are banking on these blockbusters to spark a resurgence in cinema attendance, marking this Thanksgiving as a pivotal moment for the industry.

Conclusion

As the curtain rises on this blockbuster weekend, movie lovers will be eagerly anticipating whether "Moana 2" can indeed set a new benchmark in Thanksgiving box office history!