Box Office Bonanza: Thanksgiving Weekend Shatters Records
The 2024 Thanksgiving box office has made history, raking in a staggering $420 million over the five-day holiday period. This monumental haul is thanks to the triumphant trifecta of Disney’s “Moana 2,” Universal’s “Wicked,” and Paramount’s “Gladiator II.”
A Perfect Storm of Cinematic Success
These three films, representing the musical, epic drama, and family genres, have converged to create a cinematic phenomenon. According to Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore, this convergence has resulted in “a perfect storm of Thanksgiving box office” that has revitalized the theatrical marketplace.
Moana 2: A Record-Breaking Debut
Leading the pack is “Moana 2,” which has exceeded expectations with a whopping $221 million in ticket sales over the five-day period. This surpasses the initial forecast of $100 million and marks the highest Thanksgiving weekend performance of a film ever, eclipsing 2019’s “Frozen II.”
Wicked: A Broadway Adaptation Phenomenon
“Wicked” continues to soar, amassing an estimated $117.5 million in ticket sales during the holiday. With a total domestic haul of $262.42 million, it has become the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation of all time at the domestic box office. Globally, the film has reached $359.2 million after just 10 days in theaters.
Gladiator II: A Global Force
“Gladiator II” has added $44 million to the Thanksgiving total, bringing its domestic ticket sales to $111.2 million in its first 10 days. The film has also racked up an impressive $320 million globally since its international release earlier this month.
A Historic Weekend
Shawn Robbins, director of analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, described the weekend as “historic.” The simultaneous success of these three films serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring appeal of moviegoing in our culture.
Narrowing the Gap
This year’s Thanksgiving box office bonanza has helped bridge the gap between 2024 and 2023’s hauls. The 2024 box office, which was previously down 11% compared to the previous year, is now just 6.4% behind, according to data from Comscore.
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