Disney seems to be gearing up for a major comeback at the Thanksgiving box office with the release of the Moana 2 trailer. The trailer, dropped on Wednesday, has already broken records as the studio’s most watched for an animated movie. Clocking in at an impressive 178M views in just 24 hours, Moana 2 sails past the previous record holders, Inside Out 2 and Frozen 2, with 157MM and 116MM views respectively. This figure even surpasses the views of Pixar’s Incredibles 2, which garnered 113MM views. The views for the trailer come solely from online platforms like TikTok, YouTube, X, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
The response to the Moana 2 trailer has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers expressing their excitement for the animation, love for the original film, and admiration for the characters. Moana, Maui, and Pua have been singled out as standout characters, with audiences proclaiming Moana as one of their all-time favorite Disney characters. This reception is especially impressive considering that Moana 2 was initially conceived as a Disney+ series before being adapted for the big screen.
Behind the Scenes
Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, Moana 2 features music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. In the sequel, Moana receives a mysterious call from her wayfinding ancestors, prompting her to embark on a perilous journey across the seas of Oceania and into uncharted waters for an adventure unlike any she has ever experienced. Dwayne Johnson reprises his role as the voice of demigod Maui, while Auli’i Cravalho returns as the voice of the title character.
The success of the original Moana film, released in 2016, is a testament to the enduring love for the story and characters. In fact, it was the most streamed movie across all platforms in 2023, according to Nielsen. With such a dedicated fan base, Moana 2 is set to make a splash at the box office when it hits theaters on November 27th.
The record-breaking views for the Moana 2 trailer, coupled with the positive reception and the established popularity of the original film, point towards a successful comeback for Disney at the Thanksgiving box office. Fans can expect an exciting adventure with beloved characters and captivating music in this highly anticipated sequel.