Moana 2 sets a new preview record for Disney animation ahead of its official release. The family film is a sequel to the original Moana, which became a cultural sensation after its arrival on the streaming platform. Moana 2’s story is set three years after the events in the original and sees Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) reunite for their most dangerous voyage to date. The film previews on Tuesday, November 26, but doesn’t officially arrive until Wednesday, November 27.

Moana 2 opened with a record-shattering $13.8 million preview sales at the box office, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This marks the biggest preview ever for a Walt Disney animation title and launches the film as the second-biggest preview for any animated film, right behind Pixar’s Incredibles 2’s $18.5 million preview opening. Moana 2 breaks another record as the top Tuesday, pre-Thanksgiving preview gross of all time. The sequel is projected to gross from $125 million to $135 million over the five-day debut period as the biggest Thanksgiving opening of all time.

What This Means For Moana 2
Moana 2 Could Easily Top Wicked And Gladiator II At The Box Office

Preview screenings for Moana 2 began at 2 pm on Tuesday with only 48%of schools and 20% of colleges closed. Being a family film, the sequel is good for all ages, where Wicked is targeted for age 8 and up, and Scott Ridley’s highly-anticipated Gladiator II is designed for an adult audience. Entering into the Thanksgiving weekend, Moana 2’s box office will likely see an even bigger swing upward.

Related Moana 2 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear take over songwriting duties for Moana 2 and bring some big new hits to the legendary canon of Disney songs.

Universal’s big-budget musical, Wicked, has generated $144.0 million at the domestic box office and $195 million worldwide. Meanwhile, Gladiator II amassed over $220 million worldwide. It’s likely that Moana 2 will surpass both films at the box office as its opening weekend coincides with Thanksgiving. The original animated film didn’t make a splash at the box office, but it found success on the streaming platforms. With the sequel’s soundtrack being a highlight, it also seems likely that Moana 2’s success won’t stop at the box office.

Our Take On Moana 2
Moana 2 Sees Growth In Moana & Maui

Taking place three years after Maui helped Moana restore the heart of the Te Fiti, the sequel reunites the two on a dangerous adventure to break a curse. Though Moana 2’s critical score on Rotten Tomatoes is lower than the original, the film has a glowing audience approval rate of 89%, which is the same as the original.

Screen Rant’s own review of Moana 2 notes the powerful themes it tackles as the titular heroine is “looking beyond herself and to the future and what it means for her people.” From the soundtracks to character developments and relationships, the sequel easily sets itself apart from the original. Moana was fearless due to her last experience in the first film, but having grown attached to her little sister as she grew as a wayseeker, Moana 2 sees her dealing with more complicated emotions.

Source: THR

Moana 2 is the sequel to the 2016 animated film Moana. Directed by David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, the film continues the journey of Moana as she embarks on new adventures, exploring the vast Pacific Ocean while encountering new characters and challenges along the way.Director David G. Derrick Jr. , Jason Hand , Dana Ledoux Miller Release Date November 27, 2024 Studio(s) Walt Disney Pictures , Walt Disney Animation Studios Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Dana Ledoux Miller , Jared Bush , Jason Hand , Ron Clements , John Musker Cast Auli’i Cravalho , Dwayne Johnson , Alan Tudyk , Rachel House , Temuera Morrison , Nicole Scherzinger , Hualālai Chung , David Fane , Rose Matafeo , Awhimai Fraser , Gerald Ramsey , Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda Character(s) Moana , Maui , Hei Hei , Tala , Chief Tui , Sina , Moni , Kele , Loto , Matangi , Tautai Vasa , Simea Runtime 100 Minutes Expand