411 Box Office Report: Moana 2 Tops Wicked & Gladiator II On Record-Setting Weekend

It was a very happy Thanksgiving weekend at the box office with Moana 2, Wicked, and Gladiator II setting the stage for a record take. Moana 2 led the way, opening with $135.5 million over three days and a fantastic $221 million over five days. Those numbers are the best-ever for Thanksgiving weekend, blasting past the record set by Frozen II in its second weekend in 2019 ($86 million over three days, $125 million over five). It also beat Frozen II’s $130.3 million opening weekend to become Walt Disney Animation’s best opening weekend ever.

Those numbers are obviously massive and blew past analyst’s expectations, which were for around $175 million for the five-day weekend. It’s a major comeback for Disney Animation, which has struggled since the pandemic with the failures of Strange World and Wish. Put the credit on a strong promotional campaign, which leveraged goodwill for the original Moana to make the animated adventure a must-see movie for the holiday weekend.

There was some question coming into the weekend over whether the film would be able to overindex. Reviews for the film have been fine but not stellar, with a 65% aggregated average on Rotten Tomatoes among critics. But audiences were all in and word of mouth has been great with an A- CinemaScore and an 87% RT audience rating, both of which boosted the film throughout its run since Wednesday. Its numbers included record takes throughout the weekend including $54.5 million for Black Friday and $28 million for Thanksgiving itself.

The film is also soaring overseas where it has $165.3 million from 48 territories – the second-highest of 2024 behind Deadpool & Wolverine – for a $386.3 million worldwide start. That’s already gearing toward profit against its $150 million budget, and it should only go higher from here. With two weekends of relatively light competition before Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 arrive ahead of Christmas, Moana 2 is looking to easily pass $450 million domestically and is likely to go much higher, marking another Disney hit in 2024.

Moana and Maui didn’t steal all the box office thunder though, as there was still plenty of room left for Wicked. The musical nailed down $80 million from Friday through Sunday – down just 29% from its opening weekend – and an amazing $117.5 million for the five-day weekend. The film is now the top-grossing adaptation of a Broadway musical of all-time at $262.4 million, passing Grease’s $188.6 million domestic take. And even if you’re someone who adheres the “inflation-adjusted caveat,” it’s not far from that either with only Chicago higher at an inflation-adjusted $305.8 million.

Wicked’s success is massive at this point with a worldwide total of $359.3 million against a $150 million budget plus marketing. With the film holding on well, expect this one to top $400 million domestically and probably higher than that, making Universal very happy (especially with Wicked Part Two coming next November).

Gladiator II also had a good hold, down just 44% to $30.7 million over three days and $44 million over five. As I said last week, Paramount wasn’t too concerned about this because they knew it would have enough box office legs to at least make it to a decent number as it swept up the male audiences who were less inclined to see animated Disney fare or a Broadway musical movie for their Thanksgiving movie watch. Thus far, the Ridley Scott movie has grossed $111.2 million domestically and $320 million worldwide against a $250 million budget. It still has a ways to go in terms of profit but domestically it should make it to around $160 million to $170 million, with the overseas numbers getting it into the black.

Red One cashed in on holiday sentiment for the best hold in the top 10, down just 3% for $12.9 million over three days and $18.7 million over five. The Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans holiday buddy cop film is pushing itself along with $76.1 million stateside and $148.7 million worldwide. Again, Amazon MGM will be able to lean on its revenue once it hits Prime Video and is thus reportedly only looking to make back the $100 million in marketing to break even. It should be on course for that and should close out with around $100 million domestically.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever also had a great hold, off just 5% to $3.3 million over three days and $4.9 million over five. Lionsgate’s holiday comedy is marking a much-needed success for the studio with $32 million in the US and $32.1 million worldwide against a $10 million budget. It is expected to hit VOD/Digital on the 10th so it can be a holiday watch and should make it to $35 million or more in the States.

Angel Studios’ Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. suffered an expected fall, down 52% to $2.4 million for Friday through Sunday and $3.5 million over five days. The biopic now has $9.7 million and is still on course for around $15 million. No word on its budget but the studio will be happy with this.

Venom: The Last Dance is winding down its box office run and eased 43% to $2.2 million for three days and $3.1 million over five. The superhero film is already profitable and stands at $137.9 million domestically and $468.2 million worldwide against a $120 million budget. It has a $142 million or so endgame.

Heretic was down 57% in its fourth weekend, tallying $957,000 over three days and $1.3 million over five The A24 horror film is now up to $26.8 million domestically and $36.7 million worldwide, a hit against a budget of less than $10 million. It will close out just under $30 million in the US.

The Wild Robot was down 68% in its 10th weekend to $670,000 ($1 million over five days). The animated adventure has grossed $142.5 million stateside and $321.6 million overseas, a major hit against a $75 million budget.

A Real Pain finished out the top 10 as it slipped 39% to $665,000 and $900,000 since Wednesday. The road trip flick is at $6.1 million domestically and $7 million worldwide. No word on its budget.

Next weekend will see Moana 2 stay on top, with Wicked and Gladiator II likely to stay #2 and 3. The highest-profile release is the techno-horror comedy Y2K, looking at a mid-single digits start. Another horror film, Werewolves, is looking at a low single digits opening as is anime film Solo Leveling: ReAwakening.

BOX OFFICE TOP TEN (Three-Day Domestic Numbers)
1. Moana – $135.5 million ($221 million total, $386.3 million WW)
2. Wicked – $80 million ($262.4 million total, $359.3 million WW)
3. Gladiator II – $30.7 million ($111.2 million total, $320 million WW)
4. Red One – $12.9 million ($76.1 million total, $148.7 million WW)
5. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – $3.3 million ($32 million total, $32.1 million WW)
6. Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin – $2.4 million ($9.7 million total, $9.7 million WW)
7. Venom: The Last Dance – $2.2 million ($137.9 million total, $468.2 million WW)
8. Heretic – $957,000 ($26.8 million total, $36.7 million WW)
9. The Wild Robot – $670,000 million ($142.5 million total, $321.6 million WW)
10. A Real Pain – $665,000 million ($6.1 million total, $7 million WW)