Sat Nov 30 04:23:58 UTC 2024: **Moana 2 Shatters Box Office Records, Leading Thanksgiving Weekend Bonanza**

LOS ANGELES, Nov 29 – Disney’s animated sequel *Moana 2* has conquered the Thanksgiving box office, delivering a record-breaking opening and propelling the holiday weekend to unprecedented heights. The film raked in a staggering $57.5 million on Wednesday alone, followed by $28 million on Thursday, marking the biggest Thanksgiving Day ever for a film and the fourth-biggest Thursday overall. Industry projections estimate *Moana 2* will earn over $225 million in its opening weekend, potentially surpassing even the most optimistic predictions. Globally, the film has already accumulated $109.6 million.

This phenomenal success, coupled with strong performances from *Wicked* and *Gladiator II*, is expected to push the overall five-day Thanksgiving box office revenue well beyond $400 million, significantly surpassing the previous record of $316 million set in 2018. *Moana 2* is on track to break numerous records, including the biggest Thanksgiving five-day opening of all time, surpassing *Frozen*. It also boasts the highest opening day ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film and the third-biggest opening day for any animated film.

Despite mixed critical reviews (66% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 95% for the original), audiences are embracing *Moana 2*, giving it an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore.

*Wicked*, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, continues its impressive run, adding $16.9 million on Thursday and projected to earn $105.6 million over the five-day period. This positions it as the third-highest-grossing Thanksgiving release of all time. *Gladiator II*, starring Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, is expected to contribute a solid $44 million to the weekend’s total.

The Thanksgiving box office is clearly a triumphant return for major studio releases. While Thanksgiving itself traditionally sees lower box office numbers, the strong opening day figures suggest continued success throughout the weekend.

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