Disney's (DIS, Financial) Moana 2 smashed records right out of the gate, raking in $57.5 million on its opening day—the highest-ever single-day haul for an animated film. With projections of a $200 million-plus Thanksgiving weekend, this sequel is poised to rewrite box office history. Disney CEO Bob Iger must be grinning ear to ear, especially after recent disappointments like Strange World and Wish. While the critics are a little harsher this time around (hello, A- CinemaScore instead of an A), families are flocking to theaters, proving that Moana and Maui still rule the seas. Investors should keep an eye on this momentum—it's shaping up to be Disney's third billion-dollar hit of the year.
This theatrical success wasn't always a given. Moana 2 was originally slated as a Disney+ series, but Iger made the savvy call to bring it to the big screen after the first film clocked over a billion hours of streaming. Talk about earning its place! Directors David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller took things up a notch with cutting-edge animation tech, making the sequel a visual feast. For fans eager to stream this adventure from their couch, mark your calendars: February 2025 is the likely Disney+ drop date. That gives Disney plenty of time to double-dip with digital rentals and Blu-ray sales before locking in the streaming crowd.
For Disney, Moana 2 is more than just a box office win—it's a statement. The company is reminding everyone that it still dominates the animated world when it plays its cards right. Alongside Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, this release cements Disney's spot in 2024's billion-dollar blockbuster club. With jaw-dropping animation, a heartfelt story, and nostalgic appeal, Moana 2 is proving to be more than just a sequel—it's a blueprint for how Disney can keep riding the wave of success into the future.
