Multimedia giant Walt Disney now owns nine of the top ten Thanksgiving debuts of films in the US domestic market courtesy of its latest offering "Moana" which earned $55.5 million over its Friday to Sunday debut and an impressive $81.1 million for its Wednesday to Sunday time frame.
According to Fortune Magazine, "Moana" is now the second largest Thanksgiving debut for the Wednesday to Sunday debut next to box office behemoth "Frozen", also from Walt Disney. "Frozen", during its debut, earned $93.5 million for Wednesday to Sunday. "Moana" now occupies the runner-up seat previously occupied by another Disney film, Pixar's "Toy Story 2" which earned on its debut week $80.1 million.
The updated ranking for the Top 10 Five-day opening (Wednesday to Sunday) Thanksgiving debut is below:
1. Frozen ($93.5 million)
2. Moana ($81.1 million)
3. Toy Story 2 ($80.1 million)
4. Tangled ($68.7 million)
5. The Good Dinosaur ($55.4 million)
6. Enchanted ($49 million)
7. Four Christmases ($46.05 million)
8. Unbreakable ($46.01 million)
9. A Bug's Life ($45.7 million
10. 101 Dalmatians ($45.07 million)
Source: Box Office Mojo
The animated film features the voices of Auli'i Cravalho and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and songs by "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. "Moana" introduces a new Disney heroine, a Polynesian girl who must set sail on a dangerous mission in order to save her community.
"Thanksgiving week helps draw in multiple generations of moviegoers", said Dave Hollis, Walt Disney's Executive Vice President of Distribution. "It gives us that big burst," he added.
For "Moana," the Walt Disney Studio is counting on strong interest continuing through the Christmas season, aided by adult moviegoers drawn in by The Rock and Miranda's music, that according to Mr. Hollis.
