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Animation isn’t just a genre, it’s a powerful medium, and in recent years, animated movies have achieved incredible milestones, especially at the box office.Frozen 2shattered records back in 2019, and now another Disney movie,Moana 2, is following a similar path. Both these sequels are significant not just for their engaging stories, but also for the wave of nostalgia they bring to fans worldwide.
Interestingly, at the box-office race, Moana 2 is outdoing Frozen 2.Moana 2even managed to surpass a record set byFrozen 2, proving its massive appeal.
Moana 2Makes Waves and Smashes Box-Office Records
Moana 2is making waves at the box office, starting with an impressive $57.5 million on its first day, including $13.8 million from Tuesday previews (viaDeadline). This gave it the best opening day ever for a Walt Disney Animation film and the third-highest opening day for any animated movie, trailing onlyIncredibles 2($71.2 million) andInside Out 2($63.5 million). Within just a few days, according toCBR, the sequel has already earned $109.6 million worldwide, even before completing its first week.
Interestingly,Moana 2wasn’t always planned as a theatrical release. Initially, Disney conceived it as a Disney+ series but later decided to make it a feature film, betting on the massive fanbase that embraced the original movie on streaming platforms.The firstMoana, released in 2016, grossed $643 million at the global box officebut gained even more popularity through streaming, becoming one of Disney’s most-watched titles.
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Now, with its remarkable start,Moana 2is on track to break records in its opening weekend and vying for the title of the highest-grossing animated film ever. Its international success has already turned heads and set the stage for another Disney blockbuster.
Moana 2brokeFrozen 2’s Thanksgiving Record
Disney had a fantastic Thanksgiving, all thanks toMoana 2, which is breaking records one after another.Moana 2is smashing records, including a major milestone set byFrozen 2during its Thanksgiving release weekend. Surprisingly, this Disney hit wasn’t even planned for the big screen initially but has turned into a box-office powerhouse.
According toRolling Stone, on Thanksgiving Day alone,Moana 2pulled in an impressive $28 million, making it the highest-grossing Thanksgiving release in history, surpassing the $15 million earned byFrozen 2five years ago. It’s on track to rake in at least $175 million over the five-day holiday period, shattering the previous Thanksgiving weekend record of $125 million, also held byFrozen 2in 2019.
Industry insiders predict the animated sequel could go even higher, potentially reaching over $200 million domestically within its first five days. So far, according toMarca,Moana 2has already earned $85.5 million in the U.S. alone.
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This incredible success is also a boost for the movie industry, which has seen quieter years recently. With its engaging story and massive fan appeal,Moana 2is proving to be more than just a holiday hit, it’s a game-changer that’s breathing new life into theaters and Disney’s animation legacy.
With its current success, the film might soon challengeFrozen 2again.Frozen 2earned $1.45 billion (viaBox Office Mojo) globally and is the second highest-grossing animated movie ever, just behindInside Out 2at $1.69 billion (viaBox Office Mojo). IfMoana 2keeps up this incredible momentum, it could very well surpassFrozen 2and claim its spot.
Moana 2Becoming a Big Hit For Dwayne Johnson
Moana 2brings back Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Maui, alongside Auli’i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, creating the magic fans loved in the original.Moana 2has turned into a much-needed win forDwayne Johnson, especially after a rocky few years in Hollywood. His attempt to shake things up in the DC Universe with Black Adam didn’t go as planned, as the movie fell flat and the franchise was soon shelved. But now, Johnson is back in the spotlight with one of his most beloved roles, reprising Maui in the highly anticipated sequel toMoana.
Interestingly,Moana 2wasn’t initially meant to be a feature film, it started as a Disney+ series before evolving into a full-length movie. While it may not quite match the originalMoana, which is now considered a modern Disney classic, the sequel still holds its own.
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Though the music and animation may not completely live up to the 2016 release,Moana 2stands miles ahead of Johnson’s other holiday project,Red One, which has been struggling at the box office. For Johnson, it’s a much-needed boost that shows his star power still shines bright.
Moana 2is currently playing in theatres.
Sohini Mukherjee
Content Writer
Articles Published :331
Sohini Mukherjee is an Evergreen writer at FandomWire, specializing in pop culture, all things sitcoms, and, of course, Harry Potter. She has a soft spot for shows like Modern Family and pretty much any movie that knows how to tell a good story. You’ll find her name on listicles and long form articles that feel more like fun conversations than stiff articles. Having published over 300 articles, Sohini always brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the stories she covers.
