Moanapocalypse has arrived.
Moana 2 amassed a record-shattering $13.8 million in Tuesday previews, the biggest preview number ever for a Walt Disney Animation title and the second-biggest for any animated film behind sister Pixar’s Incredibles 2 ($18.5 million). That’s quite a feat, considering that the Incredibles sequel opened in the summer. On Tuesday, only 48 percent of schools were out and 20 percent of colleges, per Disney.
There’s more. Moana 2 snagged the top Tuesday, pre-Thanksgiving preview gross of all time.
The sequel is widely expected to rank as the biggest Thanksgiving opening of all time with a five-day debut of $125 million to $135 million (Wednesday through Sunday). And it should be the biggest five-day earner of all time. The opening record is currently held by fellow Disney Animation title Frozen ($93.6 million). Frozen II, which opened the weekend before the holiday, versus midweek, currently holds the five-day record with $125 million in ticket sales.
And thanks to the potent combination of Disney’s Moana sequel, Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator II, overall five-day revenue should reach a new high for the long Turkey Day holiday.
Jon M. Chu‘s Wicked continued its own record-breaking run in topping Tuesday’s chart with $16.6 million, while Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator II turned in a pleasing $6.7 million. Both films opened last weekend to get a jump on the holiday — and Moana 2.
The Disney animated family pic was originally developed as a television series before being reworked as a theatrical sequel. The first Moana was a solid but not spectacular performer at the box office in 2016 before transforming into a cultural sensation, including being the most streamed film across all platforms in 2023. Featuring new songs from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Moana 2 counts Christina Chen and Yvett Merino as producers.
Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel reunites voice stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. The story follows Moana as she embarks on an unexpected adventure in long-lost waters after receiving a call from her ancestors. Johnson reprises his role as demigod Maui.
Reviewers haven’t been kind to Moana 2, compared to the first film, but that doesn’t seem to be impacting interest. Its audience score (now known as the “popcornmeter”) on Rotten Tomatoes is already at 89 percent, and exits are strong on PostTrak. Its critics score on Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at 67 percent, versus 95 percent for the first film.