Moana 2 set a record for the biggest Thanksgiving weekend at the U.S. box office in 2024. The Associated Press reported an initial five-day domestic estimate of $221 million; Disney later recapped the domestic Thanksgiving total as $225 million. Those figures reflect different reporting points, not the same reported total. The film eventually passed $1 billion worldwide, a later milestone separate from its opening.
What box-office record did Moana 2 break?
Walt Disney Animation Studios released the animated musical sequel in U.S. theaters on November 27, 2024, during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Disney’s press kit lists November 29 as the film’s theatrical opening date in its description. The story reunites Moana, voiced by Auli‘i Cravalho, and Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, for a new voyage. Disney’s press kit.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Moana 2 - Blu-ray + DVD + Digital | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Moana 2 | $14.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Moana 2 (2024) [Blu-ray] | $27.13 | Buy on Amazon |
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Moana 2 (2024) [4K UHD + Blu-ray] | $39.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Moana 2 [4K UHD] | $41.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Disney’s year-end 2024 studio recap called the film’s $225 million domestic Thanksgiving weekend the biggest Thanksgiving weekend ever. The record claim is specifically about the domestic holiday weekend; it should not be confused with a worldwide opening total or a three-day weekend comparison. The Walt Disney Company, 2024 recap.
Why do reports give two domestic opening totals?
The Associated Press reported on December 1, 2024, that Moana 2 earned $221 million domestically over the five days from Wednesday through Sunday, based on studio estimates. Disney’s later year-end recap reported $225 million for the domestic Thanksgiving weekend. These are figures from different sources and reporting points; the available reports do not explain the difference, so it is more accurate to attribute each number than to combine them or present one as a correction of the other. Associated Press, December 1, 2024; Disney’s 2024 recap.
#1 Best Overall
- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
How large was the worldwide opening?
The opening was also a major global launch, though early totals differ by source. The Associated Press reported $386 million worldwide through opening Sunday, based on studio estimates. Disney’s contemporaneous opening announcement gave an early worldwide total of $389 million. Both are opening-period figures, not the film’s final worldwide gross. Associated Press, December 1, 2024; Disney’s opening announcement.
What happened after the Thanksgiving release?
In a 2025 announcement about the film’s Disney+ performance, Disney said Moana 2 had surpassed $1 billion worldwide and ranked as the third-highest-grossing Walt Disney Animation Studios release at that time. That later cumulative milestone provides context for the film’s overall run; it is not part of the Thanksgiving opening figures. The Walt Disney Company, 2025 announcement.
Rank #2
- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
Where can viewers watch it at home?
Disney announced digital purchase and a Blu-ray home release, specifying Blu-ray availability beginning March 18. The announcement does not establish current stock, retailer availability, or current streaming access, which can change over time. Disney Video home-release announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
Rank #4
- Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprise their roles in this animated adventure sequel.
Rank #3
- Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprise their roles in this animated adventure sequel.
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