Thanksgiving weekend became a cinematic celebration this year, with audiences flocking to theaters in record numbers. Disney’s “Moana 2,” Universal’s “Wicked,” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II” created an unprecedented Thanksgiving box office storm, raking in a historic $420 million over five days, according to CNBC.
The undeniable leader of the pack was “Moana 2,” which shattered expectations with a jaw-dropping $221 million domestic opening. Analysts initially projected $100 million, but the family-friendly sequel outperformed every Thanksgiving release in history, eclipsing “Frozen II”’s $125 million record from 2019.
Meanwhile, “Wicked” dazzled audiences, bringing in $117.5 million over the holiday and solidifying its place as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in domestic box office history. With $262.42 million in domestic earnings and $359.2 million globally after just 10 days, the musical sensation continues to soar.
Not to be outdone, “Gladiator II” contributed $44 million during Thanksgiving, boosting its domestic total to $111.2 million. Globally, the epic sequel has amassed $320 million since its international debut earlier this month.
“This is a monumental weekend for movie theaters,” said Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango. “Having multiple tentpole films succeed simultaneously highlights the enduring importance of moviegoing as a cultural experience.”
This Thanksgiving marks the first time box office revenue has exceeded $200 million during the holiday since 2019, according to Comscore data. Before this year, only one Thanksgiving weekend had surpassed $300 million. The previous record of $315 million, held by 2018’s lineup (“Ralph Breaks the Internet,” “Creed II,” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”), has now been shattered.
The timing couldn’t have been better. After a sluggish post-summer period and the impact of dual Hollywood labor strikes, 2024’s overall box office was trailing 2023 by 11%. Thanks to the Thanksgiving surge, the gap has narrowed to just 6.4%.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, summed it up perfectly: “This year’s Thanksgiving box office was a perfect storm, combining beloved franchises, diverse genres, and a rejuvenated enthusiasm for theaters. It’s an encouraging milestone for the industry.
Photo by CNBC
