Could ‘Moana’ Topple ‘Frozen’ 5-Day Thanksgiving Box Office Record?

Disney’s animated film earns $9.9 million on Thanksgiving Day

moana dwayne the rock johnson
Disney

Disney’s “Moana” earned $9.9 million on Thanksgiving Day, putting it in striking distance of overturning the Thanksgiving box office record held by 2013’s “Frozen,” which earned $11.1 million.

Thursday’s estimates had “Moana” tracking at a five-day debut of $80 million, upped from its initial estimates of $75 million. Now, early estimates say Disney’s 56th animated feature could easily top at least $85 million — and counting.

“Moana” made $15.7 million on Wednesday alone. That is more than the $15.2 million opening day for Disney’s “Frozen,” which holds the records for both the biggest three-day and five-day Thanksgiving box office openings. “Frozen” made $93.6 million on its five-day debut.

“Moana” also way surpassed “Frozen’s” preview numbers of $1.2 million — on Tuesday, “Moana” made a whopping $2.6 million, beating the previous Tuesday preview record of $1.3 million held by last year’s “The Good Dinosaur.”

“Moana” is now playing in 3,875 theaters. It was produced for more than $150 million and has a near perfect 97 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a perfect “A” CinemaScore, which might give it legs until the next family film, “Sing,” opens on Dec. 21.

“Moana” features the voice of newcomer Auliʻi Cravalho as an adventurous teen who leaves her Pacific island, joined by demigod Maui (Dwayne 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.

Warner Bros.’ “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” conjured another $9.6 million on Thanksgiving Day, bringing its cumulative total to $111 million.

Paramount’s romantic WWII drama “Allied,” starring Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, should end its five-day opening with roughly $15 million after it grossed$2.3 million on Thursday. It was produced for $85 million. It’s screening in 3,160 theaters domestically and 25 markets abroad. It has a 64 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a B CinemaScore.

“Rules Don’t Apply,” starring Lily Collins and Alden Ehrenreich in addition to Warren Beatty, earned $285,000 on Thursday, bringing its cumulative total to $600,000. It was made for $25 million (not counting marketing costs) and has a 58 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.

“Bad Santa 2” may not bag previous predictions of $20 million — forgiving figures for the comedy sequel that has a 22 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a C+ CinemaScore. It earned $1.36 million on Thanksgiving Day.

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