Moana 2 Sails past Expectations at the Box Office
A month after its theatrical debut, Moana 2 is riding a wave of success at the global box office. This animated gem has already become the third-highest-grossing animated film of the year. It’s setting sail towards an impressive $1 billion in worldwide earnings. During the Christmas weekend, the film held its ground as a top pick for families, maintaining its slot in the top five domestically.
Earnings and Budget Blow the Original Out of the Water
With earnings of approximately $395 million in the U.S. and $488 million internationally, Moana 2‘s total stands at a staggering $882 million, according to Box Office Mojo. Its production budget, a modest $150 million, already dwarfs the box office returns of the first Moana movie, which earned just under $690 million in 2016. The original film’s streaming success persuaded Disney to greenlight this sequel as a theatrical event, steering it away from a streaming-only series.
Navigating New Financial Waters Despite Mixed Reviews
The sequel is expected to overtake Despicable Me 4‘s $961 million, claiming the spot as the second-biggest animated film this year. It trails only Inside Out 2, which closed with nearly $1.7 billion globally. While Moana 2 is charting new financial territories, it hasn’t quite captured the same adoration as its predecessor. The film holds a 61% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a far cry from the original’s 96%. Nevertheless, its box office triumphs and fan enthusiasm remain undeterred.
A Stellar Ensemble Paves the Way for Future Projects
Helmed by directors David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film stars Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson. Together, they’ve crafted a compelling sequel that’s part of Disney’s stellar 2024 lineup. This includes titles like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, collectively contributing over $2 billion in domestic revenue and exceeding $5 billion globally. Alongside these achievements, Disney is already charting course for a live-action remake of the original Moana, with plans to release in 2026.
Do you have thoughts on this wave of success? Share your insights in the comment section below!
Read this article and more at August Tales Comics. Your go-to site for trade paperback exchanges and comic book news! Trade. Read. Repeat.
#comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel #graphicnovels #augusttales
Image credit: fictionhorizon.com
