Thanksgiving Box Office: The Surprising Truth About Moana 2's Performance
Thanksgiving is a prime time for Hollywood's biggest releases, rivaling only Christmas and summer blockbusters. Animated films, especially those from Disney, often dominate the box office during this extended weekend. A strong debut can significantly boost a film's lifetime earnings, but it's not always a guarantee. Moana 2, despite its impressive $225.4 million opening weekend, isn't the highest-grossing Thanksgiving release. Let's dive into the numbers and uncover the top performers.
Here's a breakdown of the top 5 highest-grossing films released on Thanksgiving:
Tangled (2010) - $591.8 million worldwide
Tangled, released in 2010, didn't even crack the top 5 biggest opening weekends, but it's still a massive success. It collected a substantial $591.8 million at the global box office.Moana (2016) - $643.3 million worldwide
Moana, the 2016 Disney animated hit, takes the 4th spot. Its success paved the way for the sequel's impressive performance. The film stars Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho, and it was the most-streamed film in the US from 2020 to 2024, according to The Wall Street Journal.Coco (2017) - $823.2 million worldwide
Coco, a musical animated film, collected $72.9 million domestically during its extended opening weekend, slightly behind Toy Story 2's record. Despite this, it still grossed a remarkable $823.2 million worldwide.Moana 2 (2024) - $1.05 billion worldwide
Moana 2, the sequel to the beloved animated film, boasts the highest-grossing opening weekend among Thanksgiving releases. It collected an impressive $225.4 million over five days and $139.7 million during its three-day debut. However, it's not the highest-grossing Thanksgiving release overall.Frozen (2013) - $1.28 billion worldwide
Frozen, a Disney masterpiece, changed the game for animated movies. Some critics even call it Disney's best animated film since its Renaissance era. While Moana 2 had a stellar opening, Frozen still holds the title of the highest-grossing Thanksgiving release, with a worldwide collection of $1.28 billion.
Now, let's focus on Zootopia 2, which is expected to make waves this Thanksgiving. According to projections, it will have a strong opening domestically and globally, but it might not surpass Moana 2's domestic debut. Zootopia 2 is forecasted to earn between $155-$165 million domestically, significantly lower than Moana 2's impressive numbers.
Stay tuned to Koimoi for more box office updates and exciting stories! Remember to check out our other articles for more insights into the world of cinema.
(Source: Box Office Mojo)
