Moana 2 Box Office Earnings: Total Domestic, Worldwide Figures, Opening Weekend & Records

The premiere of Moana 2 has proven to be a remarkable continuation of its predecessor’s success, making headlines in the box office race. The sequel, following the popular 2016 Disney film, once again follows the courageous Moana as she embarks on a grand voyage across the Pacific Ocean. In her quest, she seeks to uncover a legendary treasure thought to restore her island to its previous splendor. The first film ranked high among Disney’s most successful offerings of the 21st century, and it appears that Moana 2 is poised to follow suit, potentially eclipsing its initial accomplishments.

Moana 2 picks up shortly after the original story’s resolution, reuniting the titular character with the demigod Maui for yet another adventure. This time, they respond to a mystifying call that resonates from Moana’s ancestors. The sequel intertwines themes of self-discovery and heritage, featuring the striking storytelling and memorable musical sequences that have become a hallmark of this beloved franchise. Additionally, the introduction of new gods and demigods amplifies the narrative’s depth, generating excitement among global audiences.

Moana 2’s Total Box Office (So Far)

The Disney Sequel Is Having An Excellent Performance

To date, Moana 2 has surpassed expectations with one of the most astonishing box office trajectories of 2024. As reported by Box Office Mojo, the film has amassed over $425 million in the United States since its release on November 25th, accounting for a remarkable 44% of its total earnings. The international box office has contributed an additional $535 million, bringing the worldwide gross to a staggering $960 million.

These figures highlight Moana 2’s impressive performance, particularly given the surge of excitement leading up to its release, fueled by the popularity of Disney films and the legacy of the original Moana. The sequel’s box office opening signals one of the year’s highest commercial achievements, with projections indicating continued success.

Moana 2’s Opening Weekend Box Office

The Sequel Outperformed The Original On The Opening Weekend

The opening weekend’s success serves as a crucial metric for determining a film’s commercial viability, and Moana 2 delivered exceptionally with an incredible $139 million in its first few days, nearly doubling that in the following week. Such figures are impressive, particularly as a sequel to an animated film that debuted eight years ago.

Prior to Moana 2’s debut, there were concerns regarding the audience’s appetite for this sequel. Despite the considerable triumph of the original in 2016, a decade-long span can diminish buzz. However, these anxieties were quickly alleviated as the sequel demonstrated remarkable profitability, surpassing historical expectations.

Moana 2 Box Office Records Explained

The Film Has Broken Some Long-Standing Disney Records

According to Disney’s collaboration with Comscore, as detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, Moana 2 has shattered several longstanding records with its remarkable $400 million opening. Notably, it achieved the title of the best five-day Thanksgiving opening in cinematic history, a record that includes films released leading up to the Thanksgiving weekend. This is a significant milestone, particularly given the competitive nature of the holiday movie landscape.

Moreover, the film established a new record for the largest global opening for an animated feature—an impressive feat. Previously held records by Disney films such as Frozen 2 have now shifted to Moana 2, which suggests that the franchise is on an upward trajectory toward a success-filled future.

How Moana 2’s Box Office Compares To 2016’s Moana

The Sequel Is Clearly Doing Better Than Its Predecessor

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When assessing the impressive box office achievements of Moana 2, it’s essential to contrast them with the performance of the original film. Released in 2016, the first Moana film captivated audiences but its opening weekend garnered only $56 million, showing a significant difference in audience response. The first installment ultimately accumulated $248 million domestically and $394 million internationally, ending with a global total of $643 million.

Compared to its predecessor, Moana 2 is far surpassing expectations. Its opening weekend performance nearly triples that of the first film, with an international gross exceeding $300 million more than what the original earned. While it may not surpass the record of $1.6 billion set by Inside Out 2, it is certainly inching closer, marking a remarkable achievement.

How Moana 2’s Box Office Compares To 2024’s Other Animated Movies

Moana 2 Was Among 2024’s Biggest Animated Hits

In addition to its accomplishments against the original Moana, it is beneficial to contextualize Moana 2’s successes compared to other animated films released in 2024. Currently, it stands as the third-highest-grossing animated feature and fourth overall film of the year. With reported figures, it trails behind Despicable Me 4 at $969 million, Deadpool and Wolverine at $1.34 billion, and Inside Out 2 at $1.7 billion, consistently showcasing the strong box office presence of animated films.

The triumphant reception of Moana 2 bodes well for the future of the franchise, creating a plausible path for a third installment. Given the audience’s continued affection for the Moana storyline, the studio may find it wise to consider a Moana 3 as both a commercially viable and creatively enriching venture.

What Moana 2’s Box Office Means For Disney & The Franchise’s Future

The Company Must Learn The Right Lesson From Moana 2’s Success

The extraordinary achievements of Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 are significant indicators for Disney, illustrating that there exists a robust opportunity within the current cinematic landscape for innovative sequels that resonate with familiar characters and narratives. Recently, Disney has concentrated considerable effort on creating sequels, remakes, and reboots of its treasured properties that continue to capture the hearts of audiences.

Nonetheless, there exists a potential pitfall with this approach, where filmmakers may be tempted to rely on nostalgic capital without contributing fresh ideas. However, such a course could hinder the company’s trajectory if they misinterpret the successes of Inside Out 2 and Moana 2. The triumph of these films derives not solely from their familiar branding but primarily from their imaginative storytelling and captivating visuals.

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