‘Moana 2’ On Track To Shatter Thanksgiving Weekend Movie Records

Topline

A Disney movie that was never meant to be shown on the big screen is on track to beat Thanksgiving release weekend records after scoring the best-ever preview day for a Disney Animation film and reportedly grossing another $28 million on Thanksgiving Day.

Key Facts

“Moana 2,” which was originally conceived as a Disney+ series before being developed as a feature film, was the top-earning holiday movie and is now on track to gross at least $175 million over the five-day holiday weekend, Variety reported.

That number would make it the highest-earning Thanksgiving release of all time, out-earning both “Frozen II” ($125 million) and “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” ($109 million).

The viral musical sensation “Wicked,” which opened over a week ago, grossed an impressive $16.9 million on Thanksgiving and “Gladiator II” grossed $6.7 million.

“Wicked,” the first in a two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is ranked as the 63rd biggest opening weekend of all time by Box Office Mojo with $112.5 million.

The first part of “Wicked” is the best opening weekend ever for a film based on a Broadway musical and one of the biggest openings for a big-screen musical.

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Big Number

$13.8 million. That’s how much “Moana 2” grossed in preview screenings, the biggest preview haul ever ahead of Thanksgiving weekend and the most preview earnings for a film from Disney Animation.

Surprising Fact

“Moana” was the most-streamed movie last year in the U.S., with 11.6 billion minutes streamed.

Tangent

Of the three films dominating the box office, “Wicked” is by far the highest rated by critics with a 90% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been called “the most entertaining film of the year and the most dazzling live-action Hollywood musical since ‘Chicago.’” “Gladiator II” has a 71% critics score and reviewers have generally called it a redundant rehashing of its predecessor—but nonetheless “fun to watch.” “Moana 2,” despite its impressive box office showing, has been less loved, with a 65% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with some reviewers calling it “mediocre” and a “sequel stuck in a rut.”