The animated sequel, Moana 2, has made waves at the global box office, marking a significant milestone as it crossed the $600 million threshold this past weekend. Following a record-breaking debut, the film has split its earnings evenly, accumulating $300 million domestically and matching that figure internationally. The recent performance demonstrates Moana 2’s strong hold across a variety of markets, which not only reflects its popularity but also underscores the enduring appeal of Disney’s animation legacy. The film’s latest overseas weekend grossed nearly $103.7 million across 52 markets, illustrating a modest 41% decline from previous earnings, a dip that can be attributed to the typical box office trajectory after a major opening.
Japan’s box office response this weekend was particularly noteworthy, where Moana 2 secured an impressive $6.5 million during its debut. This launch made it the largest non-local opening of 2024 in the Japanese market, not to mention the largest December opening for an animated film in Japan’s cinematic history. Furthermore, it ranks as the third-largest debut weekend for Walt Disney Animation Studios, trailing only behind the exceptional performances of Frozen and Frozen 2. As Moana 2 continues to break records and set new standards, it has officially become the fifth highest-grossing film worldwide in 2024, surpassing all earnings from the first Moana film at comparable rates.
In addition to Moana 2’s impressive performance, Universal’s Wicked has also emerged as a box office leader, grossing over $400 million globally and setting a new benchmark as the biggest non-sequel of the year. As of this weekend, its worldwide earnings stand at approximately $455.6 million, with $135 million generated from international markets alone. These figures reveal a robust market for musical adaptations and illustrate a resurgence in audiences’ interest in theater-inspired films.
Wicked’s opening weekend saw a significant downturn in holding markets, with an approximate 38% drop, yet the film continues to shine in new territories, marking directionality in an otherwise volatile box office landscape. This demonstrates the competitive environment that animated franchises are currently navigating against musical adaptations, both of which have captivated audiences in different ways.
This weekend also saw a striking performance from the Indian action crime drama Pushpa 2 – The Rule. This sequel, starring Allu Arjun, is making waves both domestically and on the global stage. Recent estimations suggest that it raked in an astounding 590 crore (approximately $70 million) in India alone over its opening weekend, poised to potentially reach $90 million when factoring in international markets. Such figures are monumental, considering that Pushpa 2 has become the first Indian film to cross the 400 crore mark in its opening weekend, surpassing the previously established records set by Baahubali: The Conclusion.
The entry of Pushpa 2 into the global cinematic arena has not only showcased the growing influence of Indian cinema but has also emphasized its increasing ability to compete on an international scale. Additionally, its debut in IMAX, which generated a solid $1.4 million worldwide, signifies a growing interest in Indian films across premium formats.
As the competition heats up, Moana 2 has efficiently retained its status as the number one non-local film across major markets, with notable retention factors observed in countries like Germany, France, and the UK—where it saw minor percentage drops in its box office holds. Its performance has already reached an impressive 90% of the final international cumulative earnings of the first Moana movie. This success is particularly evident in regions like Chile, Egypt, and Turkey, where it holds the title of the highest-grossing Walt Disney Animation Studios release to date.
In light of these remarkable performances from both Moana 2 and Pushpa 2, the global film industry is witnessing a dynamic interplay of animated features and live-action narratives that cater to diverse audiences. Coinciding with the success of these films are new entrants into the market, such as Gladiator II, which persists in generating considerable revenue and solid performances. Furthermore, with the upcoming launches like The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, the box office landscape is poised for continued excitement and change.
Overall, the evolving cinematic landscape continually showcases a variety of narratives that resonate across cultural boundaries, illustrating the universality of storytelling in film. As we dive deeper into 2024, audiences can expect innovative storytelling and stunning visuals that push the boundaries of imagination further than ever.
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