Walt Disney Animation’s blockbuster Moana 2 continues to smash records in its second weekend as it hit an early global haul of $600 million, already ahead of the first film’s global take of $582 million at current exchange rates.
The sequel remained safely ensconced at No. 1 with an estimated three-day gross in of $52 million in North America — the top gross of all time for the weekend following Thanksgiving by a mile. The previous record-holder was fellow Disney pic Frozen II at $35.1 million, not adjusted for inflation. And on Friday, Moana 2 earned a hefty $11.7 million on Friday to pass up the entire lifetime domestic gross of Moana ($248.7 million) after only 10 days in release.
Overseas, the animated blockbuster took in another $103.4 million for a foreign tally of $300 million and $600 million worldwide, already making it the fifth-biggest film of the year and giving Disney three of the top five titles (Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine are the other two).
Universal’s Wicked also remained a powerhouse with another $34.9 million in its third weekend as it likewise crossed the $300 mark in North America to finish Sunday with a domestic total of $320.5 million. Overseas, it took in $26.9 million for a foreign total of $135 million and $455.5 million globally.
The strength of the two titles, along with Paramount’s Gladiator II, will result in overall domestic revenue being up 100 percent over the same frame in 2023. A few weeks ago, Hollywood was worried that revenue for the full year might not even hit $8 billion, compared to $9 billion in 2023. Now, it’s looking like revenue could come in at $8.5 billion to $8.6 billion, a deficit of 4 percent. (Before Thanksgiving, the gap was more than 11 percent.)
Gladiator II stayed at third place with an estimated with $12.4 million for a domestic total of $133.7 million through Sunday.
More to come.
Dec. 8, 7:50: Updated with revised estimates.
This story was originally published December 7 at 8:59 a.m.
