Christmas arrived early for movie fans this year, as the box office experienced an impressive surge over the Thanksgiving weekend. Disney’s much-anticipated “Moana 2” attracted enormous crowds, raking in a phenomenal $221 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. This exciting opening record, coupled with strong performances from “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” made for a remarkable weekend for cinema, reminiscent of the typical rush seen in late December.
Expectations were sky-high for “Moana 2,” which was initially set to be released on Disney+ before it was ultimately brought to theaters. The film shattered previous predictions, marking a new Thanksgiving weekend record for ticket sales. The original record was held by “Frozen 2,” which earned $125 million in its second weekend back in 2019. With an additional $165.3 million earned internationally, “Moana 2” debuted with a total of $386 million worldwide, making it the second-highest global launch of the year.
Meanwhile, the musical “Wicked” continued to impress, bringing in $117.5 million over the long weekend. This pushed its total earnings to $359.2 million globally in just two weeks, making it the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation, even outpacing classics like “Grease.”
Another strong contender, “Gladiator II,” helmed by Ridley Scott, collected $44 million in its second weekend, bringing its worldwide total to $320 million. Although its hefty budget of $250 million poses challenges for profitability, the film’s performance is still notable.
Overall, this trio of films contributed to a record-breaking $420 million in box office sales over the Thanksgiving weekend, significantly surpassing previous records. For an industry that faced serious challenges due to the pandemic and other disruptions, this turnout highlights the enduring appeal of blockbuster films. Before these releases, ticket sales had been trailing about 25% behind pre-pandemic levels.
Michael O’Leary, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, expressed optimism about the future of the industry, noting that this weekend demonstrated the potential for success when major movies are strategically released together. He expects this weekend signals a renewed vigor for the cinema industry, with hopes of a more stable and prosperous year ahead.
This momentous return for theaters also emphasizes a shift in Disney’s strategy. Originally intended as a streaming series, the decision to bring “Moana 2” to the big screen proved to be a game-changer. The first “Moana” film had been a massive hit, and the return of beloved characters like Moana and Maui has resonated well with audiences.
Looking ahead, the success of “Moana 2” and “Wicked” is likely to continue driving attendance through December. The holiday season typically sees strong ticket sales, and theaters have made room for several upcoming movies, including Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” and Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.”
As the final figures for the weekend are tallied, here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday in U.S. and Canadian theaters:
1. “Moana 2,” $135 million.
2. “Wicked,” $80 million.
3. “Gladiator II,” $30.7 million.
4. “Red One,” $12.9 million.
5. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” $3.3 million.
6. “Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin,” $2.4 million.
7. “Venom: The Last Dance,” $2.2 million.
8. “Heretic,” $956,797.
9. “The Wild Robot,” $670,000.
10. “A Real Pain,” $665,000.
