In its second weekend in theaters, The Walt Disney Co.'s animated film “Moana 2” continued to dominate the box office, bringing in a record-breaking $52 million. This brings the film's domestic total to $300 million and its global tally to an impressive $600 million. The movie has already surpassed the original “Moana” and has become one of the top five highest-grossing releases of the year.
Following closely behind “Moana 2” was “Wicked,” which added $34.9 million to its domestic total of $320.5 million. “Gladiator II” took the third spot with $12.5 million, while “Red One” earned $7 million. The newcomers, including A24’s “Y2K” and the Jude Law crime thriller “The Order,” struggled to make a significant impact at the box office.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the movie industry is showing signs of recovery. According to senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian, the box office is on track to surpass $8.5 billion this year, narrowing the deficit from last year by over 5%. The upcoming release of big movies like Sony's “Kraven the Hunter” and the animated “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” is expected to further boost ticket sales.
Overall, the weekend showcased a diverse lineup of films, ranging from event cinema to international releases. With a mix of genres and styles, movie theaters are attracting a wide range of audiences. As the industry continues to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, the success of films like “Moana 2” and “Wicked” signal a promising future for the box office.