Originally conceived as a streaming TV show, "Moana 2" has officially surpassed $1 billion at the box office.
The animated sequel grossed $445 million domestically and $567 million internationally, bringing its global total to $1.009 billion after eight weekends. "Moana 2" is Disney's third billion-dollar film in 2024, following "Inside Out" and "Deadpool and Wolverine," capping off a stellar 12 months for the film studio. A happy ending. None of its competitors will reach $1 billion in 2024, although Universal's "Despicable Me 4" ($969 million) comes closest.
"Moana 2" was released on November 28 and set a new Thanksgiving box office record with $225 million during the five-day holiday, erasing the previous record of $125 million set by "Frozen II" in 2019 benchmark. Despite mixed reviews, the film benefited from positive word-of-mouth from fans and remained in the top five domestic charts for seven consecutive weekends. "Moana 2" is now the eighth film, with a weekend box office of $6.1 million, and ranked sixth with $8.4 million during the Martin Luther King holiday.
For Disney and movie theater owners, Moana 2's windfall should be an encouraging example of what's good for theaters, as the follow-up was developed as a series for Disney+ before being adapted into a feature film. Now, the film will continue to make money through the home entertainment window before landing on Disney's own streaming platform. The first "Moana" was a moderate success in 2016, grossing $680 million at the global box office, but the ocean adventure quickly became popular on Disney+ and remains one of the most-watched streaming titles. Disney is also developing a live-action remake of the original film, which will be released in 2026. The animated sequel's massive box office receipts could mean a third installment with Brave Pathfinder isn't too far away.
Dwayne Johnson and Aly Cravalho return to voice the tattooed demigod Maui and the eponymous heroine in Moana 2, in which a brave wayfinder journeys deep into the ocean to find a hidden island and break a curse. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote such memorable hits as "How Far I'll Go" and "You're Welcome" for the first film, did not return for the second film, instead Songwriting duties were given to Abigail Barlow and Emily Bell. The duo behind the "unofficial Bridgerton musical."