As a movie buff with over three decades of cinema-going under my belt, I must say that the Thanksgiving Day box office this year is nothing short of spectacular! The success of Moana 2 has been nothing but impressive, smashing records left and right. With its strong word of mouth and an A- CinemaScore, it’s clear that families and moviegoers alike can’t get enough of our favorite Polynesian princess.
On this Thanksgiving Day, Disney found itself grateful that it hadn’t released Moana 2 on streaming platforms as initially planned. Recognizing the surge in popularity of the Moana franchise since the original movie’s release in 2016, Disney decided to switch from a streaming premiere to a theatrical release for the sequel. This strategic move has proven fruitful, with impressive box office returns anticipated over the weekend. Following an extraordinary Tuesday preview opening, Moana 2 has continued to break box office records.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the animated film “Moana” made an impressive $57.5 million on its first official day of screening, adding to the $13.8 million it earned from Tuesday previews. This sets a new record as the best single day for a Walt Disney Animation film. It currently ranks third in terms of highest openings for an animated movie, following “Inside Out 2” and “Incredibles 2”. If its current pace continues, it’s likely to surpass the predicted five-day opening of $130-$135 million and could potentially earn over $175 million in total during that period. If this happens, “Moana 2” would break a new record for a theatrical release during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Some predict that the five-day earnings could surpass $200 million, but Disney is playing down their expectations. The buzz around the sequel has been positive so far, with an “A-” CinemaScore from opening day viewers and an 88% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite some negative reviews from critics (66% on the aggregator site), families and moviegoers seem to be undeterred, as they were more favorable towards its 2016 predecessor with a 95% score.
The Thanksgiving Day Holiday Box Office Is on Fire
2021’s Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be one of the most profitable in recent years for the film industry. Not only has “Moana 2” been a massive hit, but “Wicked” is still climbing new box office peaks with an impressive $20.4 million earned on Wednesday alone. The word-of-mouth for this movie is strong and it’s predicted that its domestic gross could reach between $245-250 million by the end of the extended weekend. Additionally, “Gladiator II” has been making waves with audiences. While it may seem small compared to “Moana 2” and “Wicked,” it’s expected to perform well for an historical epic targeting a primarily male audience. By the end of its run in the US, it’s anticipated to gross over $100 million, and its global earnings are likely to be quite impressive as well. It’s evident that the film industry is enjoying a bountiful Thanksgiving season and shows no signs of becoming satiated anytime soon.
Since its launch in 2016, the Moana franchise has seen remarkable expansion, with its initial film grossing over $687 million globally and receiving nominations for two Academy Awards – Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“How Far I’ll Go”). The movie also shone on physical media, topping sales charts in 2017 by amassing $116.3 million from the sale of 4.4 million copies. Furthermore, its viewership expanded significantly on Disney+, making it the most-watched title there. Consequently, Disney is considering a shift in strategy for the sequel’s release, potentially premiering it as a series on Disney+. Besides generating substantial box office revenues, there’s anticipation that the upcoming live-action remake slated for 2026 will also be well-received by audiences.
Under the direction of David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, and with a screenplay penned by Miller and Jared Bush, the sequel to Moana, titled Moana 2, takes place three years after the initial film. The story follows Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho), who is now on a quest to discover more individuals connected to the ocean. Not long after, an unanticipated summons from her ancestors propels her into an epic and perilous journey across the seas of Oceania. The film boasts the vocal talents of Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Rachel House, Alan Tudyk, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, and Gerald Ramsey.
Moana 2
is now playing in theaters nationwide.
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2024-11-28 22:33