Photo Credit: Getty Images
Disney's Moana 2 has made an impressive global debut, grossing $386.3 million in its opening weekend. This marks a significant milestone for the animation powerhouse, with $221 million generated from the domestic Thanksgiving box office and $165.3 million from 48 international markets. The film's massive success is not only a reflection of its widespread appeal but also cements its place as one of the top-performing movies of 2024.
The film's debut is the second highest opening of the year, trailing only Deadpool and Wolverine. It also stands as the second highest international opening of 2024, underscoring its strong global reach. Despite the absence of key holidays in many markets, Moana 2 exceeded expectations.
Early overseas numbers indicated a promising trajectory, and by the end of the weekend, the film had secured top positions in nearly every market, with the exception of China.
One of the film's standout achievements is its record-breaking performance in several countries. In France, Moana 2 became the biggest animated opening of all time, and it followed suit in Poland, the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Serbia, and Turkey.
The Latin American region saw its largest-ever opening for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film, while Australia delivered the best opening weekend for any Disney or Pixar film. Other notable performances include Germany, Spain, the UK, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland, where Moana 2 logged the second highest opening in WDAS history.
This success is even more remarkable when compared to the first Moana, which debuted in 2016 and earned $64.7 million in international markets, adjusted for inflation. Since its release, Moana has gained a significant fanbase, especially through Disney+ and other ancillary platforms. Now, with Moana 2, Disney has capitalized on this growing fanbase and broadened its appeal even further.
The film's five-day holiday obliterated previous Thanksgiving records, significantly surpassing the benchmarks set by "Frozen II" in 2019 and "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" in 2013. This remarkable achievement represents not just a domestic success, but a global phenomenon, with international markets contributing an additional $165.3 million to its worldwide opening of $386.3 million.
Comparatively, the original "Moana" generated $64.7 million in similar markets during its initial release in 2016. The sequel's substantial growth can be attributed to increased brand recognition, enhanced marketing strategies, and the original film's popularity on Disney+.
The box office success extends beyond mere numbers. "Moana 2" represents a strategic triumph for Disney, demonstrating the studio's ability to create compelling sequels that resonate with global audiences. The film's performance is particularly significant in a competitive entertainment landscape where audience engagement is increasingly challenging.
With no major wide releases in the upcoming session and additional markets like Japan, Hong Kong, and Thailand preparing to join the cinematic celebration, "Moana 2" appears poised for continued success. The film's extraordinary debut signals a robust return to theatrical experiences and reaffirms Disney's storytelling prowess.
