5 Reasons Why 'Moana' Could Break 'Frozen' Thanksgiving Record

Disney’s “Moana” might be able to break the Thanksgiving box office record held by 2013’s “Frozen” after having a successful three-day opening.

And that’s due to several factors — most notably, the film’s star is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, People’s Sexiest Man Alive and one of the most marketable actors in Hollywood today.

Also, Disney has had a hot streak at the Thanksgiving box office. The studio has ruled the holiday weekend with hits like “Tangled” in 2010, “Frozen” in 2013 and “The Good Dinosaur” last year.

Also Read: Could 'Moana' Topple 'Frozen' 5-Day Thanksgiving Box Office Record?

Estimates for “Moana” say it could easily top at least $85 million, and counting. That’s a bump from original estimates of $75 million — so it keeps getting closer to “Frozen’s” $93.6 million five-day debut.

Moana” features the voice of newcomer Auliʻi Cravalho as an adventurous teen who leaves her Pacific island, joined by demigod Maui (Johnson) on a quest to save her people. The film is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin”) and features music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa’i.

Also Read: 'Moana' Review: Dwayne Johnson Invigorates Disney's South Seas Saga

See below for 5 reasons why “Moana” is having a successful opening weekend:

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1. Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the hottest actors in Hollywood right now, and not just because he is People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. He is extremely popular among his fans and has a strong social media presence.

“Johnson is such a draw that his self proclaimed status as ‘Franchise Viagra’ is not a boast, it’s true,” senior analyst at comScore Paul Dergarabedian told TheWrap. “This guy could read the phone book and people would line up at the multiplex to see him. No joke.”

Disney

2. The Disney Animation Studio Hot Streak

As mentioned above, Disney has ruled the Thanksgiving box office for quite some time. In 2010, “Tangled” opened to $68.7 million, and “Frozen” broke the five-day Thanksgiving box office record when it debuted to $93.6 million in 2013.

“Coming from the animation house that brought you ‘Tangled,’ ‘Big Hero 6,’ ‘Zootopia’ and of course ‘Frozen’ among others, ‘Moana’ is keeping the hot streak going and adds another in a line of critically acclaimed box office hits for the studio,” said Dergarabedian. “They are no longer second fiddle to corporate brethren Pixar but rather a complimentary equal.”

Also Read: 'Moana' to Surf Past $80 Million at Thanksgiving Box Office

Last year, Disney’s head of distribution Dave Hollis told TheWrap that the holiday weekend is “a strong corridor for our films and our brands because they play to all audiences, so they’re the perfect choice whenever multi-generational gatherings like Thanksgiving are happening.” He added that Disney Animation and Pixar have animated films slated for every Thanksgiving weekend through 2020.

Walt Disney

3. The Film Is Set in Hawaii

The film is set in Hawaii and follows Moana as she sets across the ocean. The film’s setting draws in those longing for an island vacation.

“Who doesn’t love Hawaii? Other than Disneyland, it’s the happiest place on earth,” said Dergarabedian. “Seriously, bringing the cultural traditions and majesty of the Hawaiian people and the islands themselves is perfectly realized in ‘Moana.’ A perfect subject met the perfect creative team and the results are magic. ”

4. The Film’s Marketing

Marketing for “Moana” has been stellar. From Johnson tweeting and posting behind-the-scenes videos and photos on Instagram, and with Lin-Manuel Miranda writing songs for the film, Disney had a stellar marketing campaign for the studio’s 56^th animated feature film.

Johnson’s catchy song, “You’re Welcome,” will stay stuck in your head for days and Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go” might be the next “Let It Go.”

Reviews have been great as well — the film has a CinemaScore of A and a Rotten Tomatoes fresh rating of 97 percent.

Also Read: 'Moana' Breaks Tuesday Box Office Record With $2.6 Million

5. Moana Is the Female Hero Disney Needed

Moana is a strong, powerful female hero that Disney needed. She goes against her father’s will and sets across the seas to find a demigod to save her people. She’s not your ordinary princess.

“Disney does have a legacy of female heroines,” Bill Schwab, the film’s art director for characters, told The Washington Post. “but I feel like Moana is unique.”

30 Highest Grossing Animated Movies of All Time Worldwide

A look at top animated moneymakers as of May 2020, from "The Lion King" to "Zootopia." The numbers are not adjusted for inflation.
30. "The Incredibles" (2004)

Worldwide Gross: $633,019,734

In 2004, Brad Bird's first Pixar outing wowed audiences with complicated animated action scenes, cross-generational comedy and superhero mayhem.
Pixar Animation Studios
29. "Sing" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $634,151,679

Illumination's animal-karaoke musical crooned its way onto the list.
28. "Moana" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $643,331,111

Disney's Hawaii-set movie scored two Oscar nominations, for Best Animated Feature and Lin-Manuel Miranda's song "How Far I'll Go."

Disney
27. "Big Hero 6" (2014)

Worldwide Gross: $657,818,612

Disney's 2014 robot tale combined anime aesthetics, superhero action and Pixar's heart.
Disney Animation Studios
26. "Ice Age: The Meltdown" (2006)

Worldwide Gross: $660,940,780

Fox's 2006 prehistoric romp proved the success of the first was no fluke.
Twentieth Century Fox
25. "Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011)

Worldwide Gross: $665,692,281

With the franchise's skills proven, DreamWorks Animation gave the world another hit of comedy with this animated martial arts sequel in 2011.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
24. "Up" (2009)

Worldwide Gross: $735,099,082

The 2009 fan favorite demonstrated that original ideas with big emotions could make big money.
Pixar Animation Studios
23. "Monsters University" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $744,229,437

Ten years after the release of "Monsters Inc," Pixar sent fans back to school in a 2013 prequel.
Pixar Animation Studios
22. "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (2012)

Worldwide Gross: $746,921,274

DreamWorks Animation's "Madagascar" series kept the studio afloat with a string of breezy successes, including 2012's third installment.
Dreamworks Animation Studios
21. "Shrek Forever After" (2010)

Worldwide Gross: $752,600,867

The big green ogre's final chapter dropped in 2010.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
20. "Shrek the Third" (2007)

Worldwide Gross: $798,958,162

Made in 2007, this sequel proved there was still some gas left in this fantasy mash-up comedy franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
19. "Coco" (2017)

Worldwide Gross: $807,082,196

Directed by Lee Unkrich, this animated film captured everyone's hearts and even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2018.
Disney/Pixar
18. "Inside Out" (2015)

Worldwide Gross: $857,611,174

Disney Pixar hit the home run again with this animated feature film about the emotions inside your head, starring Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader.
Disney/Pixar
17. "The Secret Life of Pets" (2016)

Worldwide Gross:$875,457,937

Universal/Illumination's story of dogs seeking out adventure while their owners are away charmed its way onto the list.
16. "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (2012)

Worldwide Gross: $877,244,782

Profits abound for this 2012 fourth installment in the chilly prehistoric franchise, followed just behind it's predecessor.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
15."Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (2009)

Worldwide Gross: $888,805,671

While other films have made bigger waves in the States, international sales have always returned big money for Fox's "Ice Age" franchise, proven again by the 2009 entry.
Twentieth Century Fox Animation
14. "Shrek 2" (2004)

Worldwide Gross: $919,838,758

DreamWorks Animation proved to be worthy Pixar competition with its successful "Shrek" franchise.
Dreamworks Animation Studio
13. "Finding Nemo" (2003)

Worldwide Gross: $940,335,536

"Finding Nemo" was something of a second-wind for Pixar, solidifying the company's place as the titans of modern animation.
Pixar Studios
12. "The Lion King" (1994)

Worldwide Gross: $968,483,777

Can you feel the love tonight for this Disney animated classic?
Disney Animation Studios
11. "Despicable Me 2" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $970,761,885

Illumination's sequel managed to make more money than its predecessor and put the upcoming "Minions" spin-off into motion.
Illumination Studios
10. "Zootopia" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $1,023,784,195

Disney charmed audiences in 2016 with its cop thriller pairing a rookie rabbit cop and a wily fox informant.
Disney
9. "Finding Dory" (2016)

Worldwide Gross: $1,028,570,889

The sequel to "Finding Nemo" swam right back into audience's hearts.
Pixar
8. "Despicable Me 3" (2017)

Worldwide Gross: $1,034,799,409

Illumination's follow-up -- featuring Gru's blond-haired brother -- became the franchise's biggest grosser.
7. "Toy Story 3" (2010)

Worldwide Gross: $1,066,969,703

Built on Pixar's critical and commercial goodwill, the third installment in the mega-franchise brought in big profits.
Pixar Studios
6. "Toy Story 4" (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,073,394,593

Nearly two decades after the last film, Woody and Buzz and the gang returned for the top-grossing film in the series (not adjusted for inflation, that is).

Disney
5. "Minions" (2015)

Worldwide Gross: $1,159,398,397

The little yellow helpers crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of August, raking in more money then "Despicable Me" and "Despicable Me 2" for Universal Pictures.
Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment
4. "Incredibles 2" (2018)

Worldwide Gross: $1,242,805,359

The superpowered family sprung back into action a full 14 years after the original -- but far surpassed the original film's box office haul.

Disney/Pixar
3. "Frozen" (2013)

Worldwide Gross: $1,276,480,335

Disney's 2013 smash-hit takes the box office top spot. And then there was merchandising, video on demand and home video that audiences just couldn't let go...
Disney Animation Studios
2. "Frozen II" (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,450,026,933

Though it failed to garner an Oscar nom for Best Animated Feature, this sequel still managed to outgross its predecessor.
1. The Lion King (2019)

Worldwide Gross: $1,631,724,000

Whether the film is animated or live-action has been up for debate, the new "Lion King" was computer animated, so we're putting it on the list.
Disney