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Disney’s Moana 2 has delivered a record-breaking Thanksgiving box office performance, cementing its status as an instant mega-hit. Over the five-day holiday period, the musical raked in a massive US$221 million domestically, surpassing several milestones. It now holds the record for the biggest five-day debut in history, overtaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie (US$204.6 million). Additionally, it smashed the Thanksgiving opening record, previously set by Frozen (US$93.6 million) and Frozen II (US$125 million). Its three-day weekend total of US$135.5 million marks the highest debut ever for a Walt Disney Animation title.
Globally, Moana 2 earned US$383.3 million in its opening weekend, including US$165.3 million from international markets. The film’s release marks a major success for Disney, with standout performances in regions like Latin America and Australia, where it set new opening records for Disney Animation. The sequel also claimed second place in European markets, just behind Frozen II, with France being an exception, where it took the top spot.
The film’s success continues Disney’s remarkable 2024 streak, following hits like Deadpool & Wolverine and Inside Out 2. Heading into the weekend, Moana 2 was expected to open with US$125-US$135 million domestically, but it far exceeded projections. By Friday alone, it had grossed US$192.7 million globally. The audience for the film was diverse, with 25% of ticket buyers under the age of 12 and another 15% between 13 and 17. Women comprised 65% of the audience, demonstrating the film’s broad appeal.
This record-breaking performance comes alongside strong contributions from Wicked and Gladiator II, bringing the Thanksgiving holiday’s total box office revenue to over US$425 million, a new high after the pandemic. Wicked added US$117.5 million domestically in its second weekend, raising its U.S. total to US$262.4 million and its global haul to US$359.2 million. Meanwhile, Gladiator II grossed US$44 million domestically over the holiday period, pushing its global total to an impressive US$320 million.
Moana 2 was initially conceived as a television series before being reimagined as a theatrical release. The sequel reunites original voice actors Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, with new songs by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film follows Moana as she embarks on a journey through long-lost waters guided by her ancestors’ call.
Despite mixed critical reception, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 65% compared to the original’s 95%, audiences have embraced the sequel. Its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 87%, and it earned an A- CinemaScore. Disney’s Alan Bergman credited the film’s success to the enduring popularity of the Moana brand, 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 also achieved the highest Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday grosses of all time. It adds another triumph to Disney’s dominance, as the studio holds the top seven Thanksgiving openings in history. The film’s performance demonstrates the enduring power of family-oriented blockbusters, even amid changing audience preferences in the streaming age.
Looking ahead, Disney is hopeful for a robust holiday season, with anticipated releases like Mufasa: The Lion King. As the year nears its end, Moana 2 has not only solidified its place in the history books but also given a much-needed boost to the post-pandemic box office.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
