“Moana 2” could become the best Thanksgiving release movie. Its five-day opening weekend is off to a strong start. The sequel to the 2016 hit “Moana” broke Disney Animation records in Tuesday previews. Variety claimed that “Moana 2” grossed $13.8 million in previews. It had the highest preview haul ever before Thanksgiving and the most for a Disney Animation film. Continue reading to know all about the box office records of Moana 2.
Box Office Records of Moana 2
The picture, released Wednesday, is predicted to gross $135-$145 million in its first five days. It will surpass “Frozen II” ($125 million) for the Thanksgiving weekend record. “Moana 2” performed higher in previews than “Inside Out 2”, the top-grossing film of the year thus far, which grossed $13 million the day before its release.
“Moana” grossed $248.8 million domestically and $643.3 million globally. It earned $56.6 million on its Thanksgiving opening weekend in 2016, which is $74 million today. The critic’s rating for Moana 2 on rotten tomatoes is 68% as of Wednesday. Reviewers have criticized its average musical numbers while praising its “stunning animation”.
This is Disney’s fourth blockbuster under the Alan Bergman team to make over $100 million domestically. It follows Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Inside Out 2, the year’s top film, and Deadpool & Wolverine, the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. Hitting $225 million globally or up to $125 million domestically (Deadline’s pre-release forecast) would ensure it met expectations. If the picture meets projections, it will greatly outperform the first film’s opening weekend, which grossed $81.1 million, according to NBC. If Moana 2 grosses over $125 million domestically, it will be a big hit. It would also be the highest five-day opening for any Disney Animated Studios film, surpassing 2019’s Frozen II.
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Plot of Moana 2
The musical “Moana” stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho. The film is set in ancient Polynesia and follows Moana, a young girl chosen by the ocean to reunite a relic with the goddess Te Fiti. The film was praised for its strong female lead without a charming prince. It was also praised for its animation. This included hand-drawn tattoo animations of Maui, Johnson’s character. Moana became Disney’s 12th official princess. A walk-through attraction based on the film debuted at EPCOT in Florida for the company’s centennial. Disney is developing a live-action version of the original film.
Moana 2 builds on the themes of the first film. It emphasizes Moana’s tribe’s desire to leave their calm island and explore the world. In Moana, the curse induced by Maui taking Te Fiti’s Heart was gradually eliminating all biological life on the planet. Similarly, Moana embarks on her trip knowing that failing to spread the ocean to its full capacity will result in her people’s extinction.
In both films, Moana succeeds and broadens the breadth of her people’s ability to explore the world. Moana loves her new adventures. Moana 2 ends with the Wayfinder and her crew returning to the sea to explore more of the ocean. It’s a thematically linked throughline that emphasizes the value of venturing beyond the familiar.
Moana 2 eventually emphasizes the significance of embracing the unknown and having the bravery to risk everything for discovery. All of Moana 2’s characters are forced to choose risky new routes, with Moana’s Grandmother even telling her in the first act that she now understands the potential cost of her excursions. The tribe must physically extend over the ocean or face extinction. Moana’s crew mates all grow as they accept change, whether it’s Loto’s enjoyment of endless experimenting, Moni conquering his phobias, or Kele adjusting to the water.
Moana and Maui face the same dilemma, having to accept difficult ways that they are naturally resistant to. Maui’s attempts to protect Moana from danger only extend the expedition to Motufetu, and they triumph when he accepts they can manage themselves. Moana, on the other hand, must learn to accept Matangi’s advice to “get lost” by taking a different path than she is comfortable with in order to continue moving forward. It’s a fascinating moral to consider, especially in light of Moana’s variation on Te Fiti.
Sequel to Moana 2
At the time of writing, there has been no confirmation of Moana 3. Given that Moana 2 took eight years to complete the story of the titular Wayfinder, it may be some time before spectators know whether they will see more of the adventurous young woman. However, the anticipated box office success of Moana 2, combined with the overt sequel teases in the mid-credits scene, may offer Walt Disney Animation plenty of cause to bring the character back for further adventures.
A potential Moana 3 might even follow in the footsteps of other confirmed Disney animated sequels, such as Frozen, which already has two sequels in active development. Fans of Moana will also get a live-action adaptation in 2026, with Catherine Laga’aia playing Moana and Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. This means that, even after Moana 2, there will be more opportunities to see the young hero in theaters.
Conclusion
The first and second films of Moana have seen tremendous success, both at the box office as well as among its fans. Each movie has its own perks and eccentricities. While the first week shows significant success in the box office rating for Moana 2, it will be interesting to watch how far the movie can go. While another sequel to it is already in the discussions, fans would have to wait a long time for any confirmation on the third. For now, one thing is certain, Moana 2 is a must-watch.
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