Thanksgiving Box Office Record: ‘Moana 2’ Scores Dazzling $221 Million Debut, ‘Wicked’ Adds Huge $117 Million

variety.com:

Rebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter Movie theaters finally have something for which to be thankful. Disney’s “Moana 2” cemented a new Thanksgiving box office record with $221 million over the five-day holiday frame, obliterating the previous high-water marks set by 2019’s “Frozen II” ($125 million) and 2013’s “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” ($109 million).

It also stands as the biggest five-day debut in history, overtaking Universal’s 2023 behemoth “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” ($205.6 million).

The film’s three day tally of $135.5 million registers as the best start for Walt Disney Animation ahead of “Frozen II” ($130.2 million the weekend prior to Thanksgiving).

Ticket sales for the “Moana” sequel were far above the early estimates of $135 million to $145 million. “‘Moana 2’ has far surpassed our high expectations this weekend and is a testament to the phenomenon that ‘Moana’ has become,” Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman said in a statement. “This is a moment to celebrate, and we’re thankful to all the moviegoers and fans who’ve helped make this a record-breaking debut.” And it’s not just the Polynesian animated adventure that’s keeping the nation’s multiplexes booked and busy.