Disney’s much-anticipated sequel, Moana 2, has made a striking debut in international markets, amassing a remarkable $8.8 million on its opening day across ten territories. This promising start positions the film at the pinnacle of the animated genre for early box office performances in 2024. Notably, the film has achieved the status of being number one in every market it has entered, showcasing an overwhelming demand among audiences around the globe.
Among the standout performances, France reported an astonishing $3.7 million on its opening day, marking the second-largest animated opening ever, with only Incredibles 2 surpassing it. This figure not only sets a new record for 2024 but also indicates a profound interest in animated features among French audiences. In terms of market-specific achievements, Indonesia has reported an opening day total of $1.2 million, the highest for any animated film in its history, further emphasizing Moana 2’s international appeal. Overall, as of Wednesday, the film’s global earnings have already reached an impressive $66.3 million, and projections for the international box office could exceed $100 million by the end of the weekend.
The figures are even more striking when compared to its predecessor, Moana, illustrating the sequel’s enhanced drawing power. In France, the opening day figures are a staggering 302% ahead of the original film, and this trend continues across various international markets. In Korea, despite harsh weather conditions, Moana 2’s $1.1 million launch marks the third-largest opening day for any Walt Disney Animation Studios or Pixar film, evidencing its robust performance in challenging circumstances.
Moreover, in Italy, the film recorded $900,000, accounting for the second-best launch day for a domestic title from Walt Disney Animation Studios, while the Philippines scored $700,000 to gain the title of the second-largest animated bow after Inside Out 2. These statistics underline the film’s dominance across the animation landscape, signaling a broader acceptance and enthusiasm for sequels in the genre.
Moana 2 has captured an astonishing 83% market share in several territories, indicating an overwhelming preference for the film over local and competing animated offerings. The debut outperformed notable films like Finding Dory and Frozen 2 by significant margins, revealing that audiences are increasingly drawn to sequels that build upon beloved characters and stories. The cultural resonance of the characters—namely Moana and Maui—continues to foster a loyal following, allowing the film to thrive in overseas markets.
As the animated film landscape becomes more competitive, Moana 2’s exceptional performance demonstrates that audiences are eager for quality storytelling and rich character development that Disney has expertly woven into its fabric. The early numbers strongly suggest that Disney has keenly tapped into a franchise that appeals not solely to children but to families collectively.
With the film set to open in additional significant markets like Germany, Mexico, Australia, and Brazil, and the UK, Spain, and China slated for later in the week, the overall success trajectory appears to be on an upward swing. With projections suggesting that Moana 2 could potentially surpass initial expectations and the magical $100 million mark within its opening weekend, the film has already established itself as a formidable player in the box office arena.
As Japan will premiere the film a week later, the anticipation surrounding the sequel’s release suggests that Moana 2 could maintain a strong presence well into the holiday season, potentially breaking records and setting new benchmarks in animated film history.
The extraordinary performance of Moana 2 in its early international markets is indicative of a bright future for the sequel. With record-breaking numbers and an impressive market share, it is poised not only to achieve significant box office success but also to leave a lasting impact on the animated film sector. As fans eagerly await its broader release, the enthusiasm surrounding Moana 2 underlines Disney’s continued relevance and ability to captivate audiences worldwide.