After 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II's record box office this week, they will be accompanying another hit this Thanksgiving, with Disney 'Moana 2' expected to be the highest-grossing film during the holiday since the pandemic.
Currently, the US domestic box office is on a strong recovery from estimates alone, possibly raking in hundreds of millions in ticket sales.
In particular, CNBC shared that Moana will be earning between $120-150 million in the US and Canada combined, which could exceed $200 million, with Wicked and Gladiator still showing.
According to box office experts, the perfect storm of Moana 2, Wicked, and Gladiator II will hit theaters. The movies appeal to a wide audience, something the industry has failed to achieve in the post-pandemic period. Thanksgiving box office sales last topped $200 million in 2019. In 2018, the record was $315 million. Analysts say this holiday season will set the tone for year-end box office performance.
Read More: Wicked,' 'Gladiator II' Dominates Box Office With $270M in Sales, Thanks to Big Marketing Push
Disney in the Box Office
For Disney, Moana 2 could signify a much-needed win after Wish's flopped entry into the box office last year, per VCPost. The company once dominated the Thanksgiving box office with hits like 'Moana,' from 8 years ago, and 'Frozen II,' from 5 years ago. Recent releases such as 'Encanto' and 'Strange World' fell short of expectations.
Moana 2 arrives with strong momentum, following the success of 'Inside Out 2' earlier this year, which grossed over $1 billion globally, according to VCPost as well.
Thanksgiving is critical for theaters as it drives year-end ticket sales. Analysts believe the performance of these blockbuster films will significantly influence the annual box office revenue, determining whether the industry views 2024 as a success. For experts, the film industry is looking to deliver one of the most profitable holiday weekends in years after multiple failed attempts and industry strikes.
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