Disney's animated film 'Moana 2' has maintained its stronghold at the box office for the second consecutive weekend, achieving remarkable success with record-breaking earnings. The movie raked in an impressive $52 million over the weekend, pushing its domestic total to $300 million and its global earnings to a staggering $600 million.
This exceptional performance has propelled 'Moana 2' to surpass its predecessor and secure a position among the top five highest-grossing releases of the year. The film's success adds to Disney's already impressive lineup, with 'Inside Out 2' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine' also making significant contributions to the studio's box office dominance.
Over the weekend, 'Moana 2' set a new record for the highest gross on the post-Thanksgiving weekend, surpassing the previous record held by 'Frozen II.' The movie's success underscores Disney's continued box office prowess, with the studio poised to release another highly anticipated film, 'Mufasa,' later this month.
While several new releases hit theaters over the weekend, including 'Y2K' and 'The Order,' none could compete with the allure of 'Moana 2,' 'Wicked,' and 'Gladiator II,' which continued to draw audiences.
'Wicked' secured the second spot at the box office, adding $34.9 million to its domestic total, which now stands at $320.5 million. Meanwhile, 'Gladiator II' and 'Red One' followed in third and fourth place, respectively.
The box office performance over the weekend has industry analysts optimistic about the potential for a strong finish to the year, with expectations of surpassing $8.5 billion in total box office earnings. Despite a slow start to the year, recent successes have narrowed the gap from last year's earnings, offering hope for a robust recovery in the film industry.
While new releases struggled to make a significant impact, the 10th-anniversary re-release of 'Interstellar' outperformed expectations, further highlighting the diverse offerings in the current marketplace. The weekend also saw the debut of 'Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2,' 'Solo Leveling – ReAwakening,' and 'A Drummer Boy Christmas,' each contributing to the eclectic mix of films captivating audiences.
Looking ahead, theaters can anticipate the release of major films like 'Kraven the Hunter' and 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,' along with awards contenders 'Nickel Boys' and 'September 5,' promising an exciting lineup for moviegoers in the coming weeks.
Overall, the box office landscape continues to evolve, offering a diverse array of films and experiences for audiences to enjoy, setting the stage for a dynamic conclusion to the year in cinema.
