The Thanksgiving weekend box office has delivered a spectacular performance, with Disney’s Moana 2 and Universal’s Wicked leading the charge in a record-breaking cinematic holiday. Together, these blockbusters propelled the industry to its most successful Thanksgiving period ever, generating a staggering $422 million across all films—a significant leap from the previous record of $315 million set in 2018.
Disney’s Moana 2 emerged as the weekend’s undisputed champion, raking in $221 million over the five-day holiday period in North America. This debut shattered Thanksgiving box office records, surpassing 2019’s Frozen II and 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The film’s three-day domestic total of $135.5 million marked the highest-ever opening for Disney Animation, while its global earnings soared to $386.3 million, buoyed by a strong international showing of $165 million. Originally envisioned as a Disney+ release, Moana 2 was retooled for theaters—a decision that has clearly paid off.
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The sequel expands on the beloved 2016 story, following Moana as she embarks on a daring oceanic journey to find a hidden island and lift a mysterious curse. Featuring the return of Dwayne Johnson and Auliʻi Cravalho as Maui and Moana, respectively, the film also introduced new music by Grammy-winning duo Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. While critical reception was mixed, with a 65% score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences responded enthusiastically, giving the movie an “A-” CinemaScore. The film’s widespread appeal and strong word-of-mouth suggest continued success in the weeks ahead.
Universal’s Wicked also had a tremendous showing, bringing in $117.5 million over the five-day frame. As an adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, Wicked has already cemented its place as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in North American box office history. With a domestic total of $262.4 million and a global tally of $359.2 million, the film is poised for long-term success. Its impressive performance is especially critical given that it serves as the first part of a two-film saga, with the second installment scheduled for release in 2025.
Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II contributed significantly to the weekend’s success, earning $44 million over the five-day stretch. Its global earnings have reached $320 million, showcasing the continued allure of epic historical dramas. Meanwhile, holiday-themed films such as The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and the action-comedy Red One added variety to the weekend lineup, rounding out a remarkably lucrative Thanksgiving period.
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This box office resurgence is a welcome development for an industry still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and the SAG-AFTRA strike. The resounding success of Moana 2 and Wicked signals a renewed appetite for big-budget theatrical experiences, and with sequels and new blockbusters on the horizon, Hollywood appears to be entering a revitalized era of storytelling. For moviegoers and studios alike, this Thanksgiving was a cinematic triumph, setting a high benchmark for future holiday seasons.
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