This Thanksgiving weekend delivered a historic box office haul, led by the massive success of Disney’s Moana 2, Universal’s Wicked, and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. Together, these films drove ticket sales to an unprecedented $420 million, signaling a major win for Hollywood as it continues to rebound from pandemic-era challenges.
Moana 2 Makes Waves
Moana 2 set new Thanksgiving records, earning $221 million domestically over five days and $386 million globally. Initially conceived as a Disney+ series, its theatrical release proved a game-changer, surpassing expectations and breaking the Thanksgiving weekend record previously held by Frozen 2’s second-week gross of $125 million in 2019.
Wicked Soars
The highly anticipated Wicked added $117.5 million over the holiday weekend, propelling its global total to $359.2 million in just two weeks. The Broadway adaptation now claims the title of highest-grossing stage-to-screen musical, outpacing Grease in unadjusted terms.
Gladiator II Holds Strong
Despite a 44% drop in its second weekend, Gladiator II managed $44 million domestically, bringing its global total to $320 million. While profitability may be a challenge given its $250 million production cost, the film continues to draw audiences, cementing its place as a major holiday contender.
A Triumphant Weekend for Theaters
The combined success of these blockbusters pushed overall Thanksgiving weekend ticket sales to a record high, outperforming previous years by more than $100 million. For an industry still recovering from the impacts of streaming, work stoppages, and COVID-19, this weekend underscored the enduring appeal of theatrical releases and the blockbuster model.
With Moana 2, Wicked, and Gladiator II leading the charge, Hollywood heads into the holiday season with momentum and optimism for 2024.
