The holiday season has arrived, bringing with it a surge of activity at the box office. As families prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, movie theaters are witnessing a remarkable influx of revenue, particularly from two major releases: Disney’s Moana 2 and Universal’s Wicked. This extraordinary rise hints at changing viewing habits and the undeniable appeal of high-quality sequels during this festive time.
In an impressive start, Disney’s Moana 2 has made a substantial impact, grossing over $12 million on its preview night alone. This figure not only sets a new record for a pre-Thanksgiving Tuesday, but it also eclipses the previous high watermark set by Ralph Breaks the Internet in 2018, which managed only a fraction of Moana 2’s haul. The film is projected to generate between $125 and $135 million over the lengthy Thanksgiving weekend, easily establishing itself as a box office powerhouse. However, it’s important to note that despite its financial success, the film has received lukewarm reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 69%. Critics have acknowledged its merits, but it has yet to reach the acclaim earned by its predecessor, Frozen II, which boasts a higher score.
The timing of this release is strategic; with many schools closed ahead of the holiday, families are looking for entertainment options. The combination of discounted ticket prices on “Discount Tuesday” and a substantial percentage of students being free from school creates a perfect storm for cinematic success. As parents seek engaging programming for their children, Moana 2’s family-friendly appeal positions it as an ideal choice for holiday outings.
On the other side of the box office, Wicked is also enjoying remarkable success. Following a solid Monday, the musical adaptation continues to thrive, anticipating earnings between $16 million and $17 million on Tuesday. Notably, Wicked’s performance is commendable given its lengthy 2 hours and 40 minutes runtime compared to Moana 2’s more compact 100 minutes. This suggests a continued appetite for musical adaptations, demonstrating that Broadway-inspired films are far from obsolete.
With projections hinting at a total domestic gross exceeding $145 million by the end of the holiday weekend, Wicked is on track to surpass other beloved adaptations like Les Misérables. The film has already outperformed Into the Woods and both Mamma Mia! films domestically, signaling a revival for the genre and reinforcing the idea that audiences are craving quality theatrical experiences.
This dual success at the box office raises interesting questions about audience preferences and the future of family-friendly content. As franchises like Moana and adaptations of popular stage musicals like Wicked capture the imagination of viewers, studios may increasingly lean into established properties that promise a ready-made audience.
Furthermore, the large turnout for these films is indicative of a broader trend. It suggests that theatrical experiences are returning to favor as families look for communal activities during the holiday season. If Disney and Universal continue to deliver box office hits with their established brands and franchises, we may see continual records shattered, leading to a reinvigoration of the film industry in the coming months.
As audiences flock to see films like Moana 2 and Wicked this Thanksgiving, it’s evident that the box office is not just alive and well—it’s thriving. The holiday season is shaping up to be a lucrative one for the industry, with audiences eager to enjoy family-friendly entertainment.