Disney's highly anticipated sequel, "Moana 2," is set to make a big comeback at the Thanksgiving box office. The recently released trailer for the film has already broken records, becoming the most-watched trailer for an animated movie in Disney's history. With 178 million views in just 24 hours, the trailer surpassed previous record holders and garnered positive reactions from fans.
The success of the trailer is particularly notable considering that "Moana 2" was initially conceived as a Disney+ series before being reworked into a feature film. The decision to bring the story to the big screen seems to have paid off, as audiences expressed their excitement for the continuation of Moana's journey and the return of beloved characters like Maui and Pua.
"Moana 2" promises to take viewers on a new adventure as Moana receives a call from her wayfinding ancestors and embarks on a dangerous journey to unknown waters. Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will reprise their roles as the voices of Moana and Maui, respectively.
The original "Moana," released in 2016, was a huge success for Disney, grossing $687 million worldwide and becoming the most-streamed movie across all platforms in 2023. With such a strong fan base and the anticipation surrounding the sequel, Disney is hoping for another box office hit.
The release of "Moana 2" is strategically scheduled for November 27, which falls during the Thanksgiving holiday, a time when families often flock to the theaters. However, the film will also face competition from other highly anticipated releases, such as "Wicked," setting up a box office face-off between two family-friendly musicals.
Disney's decision to focus on sequels seems to be a recurring theme, as the studio has announced plans for animated sequels like "Inside Out 2," "Zootopia 2," "Toy Story 5," and "Frozen III." This strategy reflects the success and popularity of these franchises, as well as the studio's desire to capitalize on existing fan bases.
The overwhelming response to the "Moana 2" trailer suggests that Disney's decision to bring the sequel to the big screen was a wise move. Fans are eagerly awaiting the continuation of Moana's journey and the return of beloved characters. With a strong fan base and strategic release timing, Disney is poised for another box office success. Only time will tell if "Moana 2" can live up to the expectations and surpass the success of its predecessor.