This Thanksgiving weekend movie theaters set a new holiday record, with audiences flocking to see “Moana 2,” “Wicked,” and “Gladiator II.”
Key Facts:
– “Moana 2” led the Thanksgiving box office with $221 million over five days, surpassing expectations and setting a new holiday record.
– “Wicked” earned $117.5 million during the holiday, becoming the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation in domestic box office history.
– “Gladiator II” contributed $44 million to the weekend total, boosting its domestic earnings to over $111 million and $320 million globally.
– The combined Thanksgiving box office reached an estimated **$420 million**, the highest ever recorded for the holiday period.
– This surge narrowed the **2024 box office gap** from an 11% deficit to 6.4% compared to the previous year.
The Rest of The Story:
This Thanksgiving, movie theaters experienced a remarkable resurgence, with audiences flocking to see “Moana 2,” “Wicked,” and “Gladiator II.”
Together, these films propelled the five-day holiday box office to an estimated $420 million, marking the highest Thanksgiving earnings in cinematic history.
“Moana 2” alone brought in $221 million, greatly exceeding the initial projections of $100 million and surpassing the previous holiday record set by “Frozen II” in 2019.
“Wicked” also impressed with $117.5 million in ticket sales over the holiday, setting a new benchmark as the top-grossing Broadway adaptation domestically.
“Gladiator II” added another $44 million to the total, contributing to its growing global success.
This exceptional weekend has helped close the gap between the 2024 and 2023 box office revenues, offering a positive sign for an industry recovering from last year’s labor strikes and production delays.
This has been the highest grossing Thanksgiving weekend ever for movies with $422M domestically.
1️⃣ – ‘Moana 2’ – $221M
2️⃣ – ‘Wicked’ – $117M
3️⃣ – ‘Gladiator 2’ – $44MOver 30M people in the U.S. went to the movie theater during this Thanksgiving break. pic.twitter.com/Qn11hcd387
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 1, 2024
Commentary:
The resounding success of these films signals a strong desire among audiences for pure, engaging entertainment.
“Moana 2,” “Wicked,” and “Gladiator II” offer compelling stories that captivate viewers without delving into divisive political narratives.
This suggests that when Hollywood focuses on creating content that appeals to a broad audience, free from heavy-handed messaging, it reaps significant rewards.
The record-breaking numbers demonstrate that people are eager to return to theaters for movies that provide escapism and enjoyment.
By prioritizing storytelling and spectacle over agendas, the film industry can restore its connection with audiences who simply want to be entertained.
This approach not only benefits box office revenues but also strengthens the cultural relevance of cinema.
If Hollywood continues on this path, emphasizing quality and universal appeal, it could herald a new era of prosperity for the industry.
Steering clear of politicized content in favor of films that unite rather than divide will likely lead to sustained success and a revitalized moviegoing experience.
The Bottom Line:
This Thanksgiving’s box office success demonstrates the strong demand for entertaining films that resonate with a broad audience.
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By focusing on captivating stories rather than political themes, Hollywood can achieve significant gains both in audience satisfaction and revenue.