As a long-time movie enthusiast who has seen countless films and witnessed the ebb and flow of the industry, I can confidently say that this Thanksgiving week is shaping up to be one of the most exciting times for cinema-goers in recent memory. The trio of blockbusters – “Moana 2”, “Wicked”, and “Gladiator II” – are not just revitalizing the movie theaters, but they’re breathing new life into the entire industry.
In the past few years, the film industry hasn’t had many reasons to celebrate, but that trend is reversing during this holiday season. A threesome of highly anticipated movies are enticing viewers to return to movie theaters in large numbers.
Without a doubt, Disney Animation’s “Moana 2” is expected to rule the box office during Thanksgiving with an unprecedented performance, potentially setting new records. Originally conceived as a TV show for Disney+, “Moana 2” has been transformed into a theatrical feature and is predicted to earn at least $175 million in its first five days in cinemas (with rivals expecting it to reach $200 million). If it meets these expectations, “Moana 2” will effortlessly surpass previous records, outshining the earnings of “Frozen II” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Currently, its opening day numbers place it third among animated titles, only behind “Incredibles 2” and “Inside Out 2.” Worldwide, the movie has garnered $66.3 million so far.
Apart from “Moana 2”, cinemas are experiencing a resurgence with another major event. The big-budget adaptation of the Broadway hit musical, “Wicked” by Universal, made $20.4 million on its opening day and is projected to make over $63 million during the traditional weekend, and approximately $97 million throughout the five days. By the end of the week, it’s expected to have generated more than $240 million domestically. The movie, which is the first part of a two-part journey through Oz, features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba (who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later Glinda the Good). The production costs for these two films totaled around $300 million, not including additional marketing expenses. A widespread promotional campaign showcased “Wicked” on various products such as Starbucks drinks, nail polish, Lego sets, and more. The second part of the film will be released in theaters next fall.
Following “Gladiator II,” the costly sequel from Paramount, garnered $6.6 million on Wednesday. Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, this movie is anticipated to bring in approximately $28 million from North American theaters over the weekend and an additional $40 million between Wednesday and Sunday. By the end of the holiday season, it’s predicted to have earned over $107 million domestically. However, the trip back to the Colosseum didn’t come without a hefty price tag, especially considering last year’s Hollywood strikes caused production delays for several months. “Gladiator II” boasts a significant budget of around $250 million.
Critics have given a mixed response to “Moana 2,” earning it an average score of 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, although the original film has amassed a devoted fanbase that has expanded significantly since its release in 2018, thanks to its availability on streaming platforms. In fact, it was one of Disney+’s most-watched movies, with viewers logging over 80 billion minutes of watch time, according to Bloomberg. The voice cast for “Moana 2” includes Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson reprising their roles as the Polynesian chief’s daughter and a demigod. However, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed popular songs like “How Far I’ll Go” for the first film, will not be contributing new music for the sequel. Instead, Disney has enlisted Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the team behind “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,” to create fresh tunes that make the soundtrack a must-buy for families during the holiday season.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is truly stealing the show this season! He’s not just wowing us in the theaters, but also starring in Amazon and MGM Studio’s “Red One.” On its opening day alone, it managed to earn a decent $2.8 million. By the holidays, I expect it to rack up around $75 million domestically.
The impressive showings of “Moana 2,” “Gladiator II,” and “Wicked” bring optimism to the movie exhibition industry, which was still in recovery from pandemic-induced closures when the 2023 actors and writers strikes caused a domino effect of delayed releases and less blockbuster films for viewers. However, this trio of potential blockbusters is shifting the landscape, and they are expected to earn over $315 million during the holiday week, breaking a new record. Could this be an indication that things might finally be on the upswing?
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2024-11-28 19:46