‘Moana 2’ shatters Thanksgiving, animated box office records

“Moana 2” made waves as not only Disney’s biggest domestic animation debut of all time but also the biggest animated debut globally. The film, released on Thanksgiving Day, brought in a record-breaking $389 million during the holiday weekend.

Disney continues to dominate Thanksgiving releases

The sequel to the 2016 hit takes audiences on another thrilling journey across the seas. It didn’t just surpass pre-holiday box office expectations by $100 million –– it also claimed the title for the highest five-day Thanksgiving box office ever.

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“Moana 2” surpassed 2019’s “Frozen 2,” which previously held the record. But Disney’s dominance goes even further back. The original “Frozen” posted the studio’s biggest Thanksgiving debut in 2013.

Disney now holds the record for the top seven Thanksgiving weekend openings of all time, with “Moana 2” adding to the studio’s legacy.

Animated films drive 2024 box office growth

Animated films have been a major force in 2024’s box office success. According to Forbes, the year’s top five animated releases have brought in nearly $4 billion alone.

Here’s how the top animated films of the year stack up so far:

• “Inside Out 2”: $1.698 billion.
• “Despicable Me 4”: $969 million.
• “Kung Fu Panda 4”: $547 million.
• “Moana 2”: $389 million.
• “The Wild Robot”: $321 million.

With “Moana 2” expected to continue its success, the animated box office total could surpass $5 billion before the year ends.

Expect to see more “Moana” soon

The “Moana” franchise has been a cultural phenomenon since its 2016 debut. Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the original film has been streamed over 1 billion hours on Disney+, making it the most-streamed movie on any platform in the U.S., according to a press release.

Fans will be seeing even more from the franchise. Disney is currently developing a live-action “Moana” movie alongside its animated counterparts, which is set to release on July 10, 2026. The original story follows Moana as she embarks on an ocean voyage to save her people.

Johnson will reprise his role as Maui in the live-action adaptation, while 17-year-old newcomer Catherine Laga’aia takes on the starring role of Moana.