Disney is beyond grateful they chose to bring Moana 2 to theaters rather than releasing it as a streaming series—especially after the film made history this Thanksgiving.
It’s hard to say whether even the Mouse House anticipated this level of success, but the numbers keep pouring in, and Moana 2 has now broken another record. On Thanksgiving Day alone, the film earned a staggering $28 million, setting the record for the highest-ever Thanksgiving Day box office gross, surpassing Frozen II’s $14.9 million from 2019.
At this point, the real question is: Where will Moana 2 go from here? Typically, box office numbers dip during the holiday weekend as families gather around the dinner table, but Moana 2 defied expectations, dropping only 37% from the previous day. Other big films like Wicked and Gladiator II also held strong, making this a standout weekend across the board.
If the current pace continues, Moana 2 is set to dominate the Thanksgiving weekend with an estimated $175 million+ opening, and box office analysts predict the film could surpass $200 million by Sunday. Disney’s decision to bring the film to theaters instead of opting for a streaming debut is already looking like a smart move, despite mixed reviews. Audiences are clearly eager to return to the high seas with Moana, no matter the critique.
Meanwhile, Wicked continues to impress with $16.9 million on Thanksgiving Day, marking the second-best Thanksgiving gross ever. Universal is predicting a solid $105.6 million five-day total, with the film likely reaching $245-$250 million by the end of the weekend. Thanks to its awards season buzz, Wicked is poised for even more success in the coming weeks.
Gladiator II also held its ground, earning $6.7 million on Thanksgiving Day, maintaining a steady performance that any studio would envy. Paramount is now forecasting a $45 million five-day total, with the film likely to finish the weekend around $112 million, bolstered by strong overseas sales.
All three films are proof that moviegoers are still flocking to theaters, bringing good news for the industry. If there’s one thing to be thankful for this holiday season, it’s that the cinematic experience is alive and well, showing no signs of slowing down.
