The animated sensation, “Moana 2,” which was initially planned as a streaming television show, has officially entered the billion-dollar club at the box office.
The sequel has amassed an impressive $445 million domestically and $567 million internationally, totaling a grand $1.009 billion globally after just eight weekends. “Moana 2” is Disney’s third release in 2024 to achieve this milestone, following “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” marking a successful year for the studio. In comparison, none of its competitors managed to reach the billion-dollar mark in 2024, with Universal’s “Despicable Me 4” coming closest at $969 million.
“Moana 2” premiered on November 28 and set a new Thanksgiving box office record, raking in $225 million over the five-day holiday period. This feat shattered the previous record held by “Frozen II” in 2019, which earned $125 million. Although the film received mixed reviews from critics, it benefited from positive audience responses and stayed in the top five on domestic charts for seven consecutive weekends. In its eighth week, “Moana 2” ranked sixth with $6.1 million over the weekend and $8.4 million over the extended Martin Luther King Jr. holiday period.
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The success of “Moana 2” serves as a positive example for both Disney and cinema owners, championing the value of theatrical releases. Initially developed as a series for Disney+, it was later transformed into a feature-length film. The film will continue to generate revenue through home entertainment platforms before it finally debuts on Disney’s own streaming service. The original “Moana” film, released in 2016, was fairly successful, grossing $680 million worldwide. However, its popularity skyrocketed on Disney+, where it remains one of the most-streamed titles. Disney is currently working on a live-action remake of the original film, scheduled for release in 2026. The remarkable ticket sales for the animated sequel suggest that fans won’t have to wait too long for a third “Moana” film.
In “Moana 2,” Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho reprised their voice roles as the tattooed demigod Maui and the titular heroine. In this sequel, the brave navigator travels deep into the ocean to discover a hidden island and break a curse. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who penned memorable hits such as “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome” for the first film, did not return for the sequel. Instead, songwriting duties were handed over to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the duo behind “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.”
FAQs
What is the total box office collection of “Moana 2”?
“Moana 2” has earned a total of $1.009 billion globally after just eight weekends of release.
Who reprised their voice roles in “Moana 2”?
Dwayne Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho reprised their roles as the tattooed demigod Maui and the titular heroine Moana.
Who handled the songwriting duties for “Moana 2”?
Songwriting duties were handed over to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the duo behind “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.”
Credit: variety.com
