As the Thanksgiving holiday draws near, the box office is experiencing unprecedented momentum, setting the stage for a remarkable cinematic season. Disney has once again proven its mettle with the release of **Moana 2**, which has emerged as a frontrunner, already establishing new benchmarks. This article delves into the unfolding trends at the box office, drawing comparisons and analyzing implications for the film industry.
Today marked the rollout of Disney’s *Moana 2*, which commenced previews early in the afternoon and is projected to generate over **$12 million** in its debut day. This figure sets a record for Tuesday previews in the pre-Thanksgiving realm, superseding the previous benchmark held by *Ralph Breaks the Internet* in 2018, which garnered $3.8 million. Such a remarkable performance signals not just popularity but also a strong return to the cinema for families as the holiday season approaches. The expectation for a five-day opening total between **$125 million and $135 million** exemplifies the success potential of family-oriented films during this festive period.
Despite its auspicious start, *Moana 2* has garnered a modest **69% fresh rating** on Rotten Tomatoes, presenting it as less favorably received compared to its predecessor, *Frozen II*, which achieved certified fresh status at **77%**. Nevertheless, critics have hailed the sequel’s compelling narrative and engaging visuals. Dessi Gomez from Deadline lauded it as “a satisfying splash as a sequel.” This disparity in critical reception versus box office performance raises questions about audience expectations and the function of nostalgia in driving ticket sales.
In a parallel narrative, Universal’s musical **Wicked** is also making waves at the box office. With a hefty runtime of **2 hours and 40 minutes**, it is poised to earn between **$16 million and $17 million** today. This increase from Monday’s performance illustrates a growing audience appetite, despite its longer runtime. Projections suggest that *Wicked* may soon surpass its competitors and claim the title for the highest-grossing adaptation of a Broadway musical, already eclipsing the earnings of *Les Miserables* and *Into the Woods*. This cinematic representation of Broadway talent showcases the ongoing viability of musical adaptations in today’s film landscape.
As the box office numbers from this Thanksgiving season roll in, it is evident that both family-friendly films and adaptations of popular stage productions have found fertile ground for success. The comparative performance of these titles signals a strong recovery for the cinema sector post-pandemic. With audiences returning in droves, the blend of nostalgia, new storytelling, and the joy of shared experiences at the theatre has revitalized an industry eager to embrace growth.
Overall, the current Thanksgiving prelude not only highlights individual successes like *Moana 2* and *Wicked* but also suggests broader trends in consumer behavior, indicating a bright future for cinematic productions that cater to diverse audiences. The culmination of demographics and genre variety makes for a promising outlook as the holiday season officially kicks off.
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