Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana 2 has stormed into theaters with a historic domestic debut, earning $221 million over the Thanksgiving weekend. This makes it the biggest 5-day opening in box office history and cements Disney’s dominance during the holiday season. Combined with an international haul of $165 million, the film has raked in a staggering $386 million globally, the second-largest global debut of 2024.
The sequel, which reunites audiences with beloved characters Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho) and Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) on a daring new journey, has shattered several records. Among these are the largest Thanksgiving Day ($28 million) and Black Friday ($54.5 million) box office tallies ever, as well as the biggest Thanksgiving weekend debut in both 3-day ($135.5 million) and 5-day ($221 million) formats. It also dethrones Frozen 2 as the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend release.
“This extraordinary debut is a testament to the magic of Moana and the talent of our incredible team,” said Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman. “From the visionary creatives at Disney Animation to the unforgettable performances by Auli’i and Dwayne, audiences have been captivated by this new adventure. We’re immensely grateful to fans for making this a record-breaking moment.”
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Moana 2 is the studio’s third film this year to cross the $150 million mark in its opening weekend, joining Deadpool & Wolverine ($211 million) and Inside Out 2 ($155 million). The studio also now claims seven of the top 10 Thanksgiving debuts of all time.
Internationally, Moana 2 has dominated, achieving No. 1 openings in nearly every market. Highlights include:
- The highest animated opening weekend ever in France.
- The second-largest animated debut in Italy and Brazil.
- Record-breaking performances across Latin America, including Mexico and Australia.
The film is yet to open in Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, where it is expected to further boost its impressive totals upon release in the coming week. The sequel’s success underscores the enduring appeal of Moana’s story and Disney’s ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
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