Disney’s 2013 smash hit Frozen solidified its place in pop culture with iconic characters like Anna and Elsa and unforgettable songs such as “Let It Go.” However, Frozen might soon be facing some serious competition. With the upcoming release of Moana 2 (2024), Disney’s next big adventure, the tides seem to be turning.
Moana 2 is set to release on November 27, 2024, right before Thanksgiving, and all signs point to a record-breaking opening. In fact, experts are already predicting that Moana 2 will topple Frozen’s Thanksgiving box office records.
Despite being announced just this past February, Moana 2 has garnered massive attention. Its trailer alone racked up a staggering 178 million views within the first 24 hours, making it the most-watched Disney animated trailer in that time frame. Box office projections are equally impressive, with estimates for the opening weekend ranging from $105 million to $115 million, according to box office tracker Qurom via Deadline.
If these numbers hold, Moana 2 will surpass Frozen’s $93.5 million Thanksgiving opening record for a movie debuting on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which the latter has held since 2013.
“A $100M+ result… would rep the biggest opening for a movie on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving,” reports the outlet.
While Moana 2 is tracking especially well with young female audiences, industry experts have noted that men are not as engaged. This was also the case with Inside Out 2 (2024), which still enjoyed enormous success with a $158 million opening weekend. The Pixar sequel has since surpassed Frozen II (2019) as the highest-grossing animated film, and Disney is hoping Moana 2 will follow suit.
The journey from streaming project to blockbuster feature has been a surprising twist for Moana 2. Initially planned as a Disney+ series, the film’s development took a turn when Disney CEO Bob Iger announced earlier this year that the project would instead hit theaters. This decision came after the original Moana (2016) was revealed to be the most-streamed movie on any platform in 2023, highlighting the franchise’s immense popularity and Disney’s recognition of its long-term potential.
Former Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee spoke to this natural evolution, explaining to Entertainment Weekly that the project continued to grow in scope: “It was getting bigger and bigger and more epic, and we really wanted to see it on the big screen. It creatively evolved, and it felt like an organic thing.” Co-director David Derrick Jr. echoed this sentiment, recalling that “it became apparent very early on that this wanted to be on the big screen.”
In terms of music, Moana 2 promises to deliver the same enchanting sound that made the original a classic, but with a fresh twist. While Lin-Manuel Miranda is not returning for the sequel, Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, famous for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, have stepped in to co-write the soundtrack alongside original Moana musicians Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i.
Of course, a great sequel is about more than just the music. Fans will be delighted to see familiar faces, with Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprising their roles as Moana and Maui, respectively. Nicole Scherzinger returns as Sina and Temuera Morrison will once again voice Chief Tui.
Rachel House is also back as Gramma Tala. Moana 2 will also introduce exciting new characters, including Moana’s sister, Simea (voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), and her wayfaring crew members, Kele (David Fane), Loto (Rose Matafeo), and Moni (Hualālai Chung). Additionally, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey, and Alan Tudyk lend their voices to Matangi, Tautai Vasa, and Hei Hei, respectively.
The transition from TV show to feature film has placed immense pressure on the filmmakers to deliver something truly spectacular, but all signs point to Moana 2 being another major win for Disney.
But beyond just being a box office hit, Moana 2 could also mark a significant shift in Disney’s animated dominance. With Frozen having been the reigning champion for more than a decade, a box office victory for Moana 2 could signal a new era for Disney’s animated features, with Moana and Maui leading the charge.
One thing’s for sure—Disney fans are ready for Moana 2 to hit theaters on November 27, 2024.
What do you think? Will Moana 2 take the crown from Frozen? Let us know in the comments!
The family is much more interested in frozen 3 and 4, they cant wait…they are already counting down