The Australian box office saw an extraordinary weekend, with Moana 2 steering toward a record-breaking $12.3 million opening, marking the biggest animated film debut in 17 years. The film amassed an impressive 690,000 admissions, claiming its place as the third-largest opening weekend for an animated feature in Australian history, behind The Simpsons Movie (2007) and Shrek 2 (2004).
In a major win for big screens, Moana 2 also contributed to the year’s largest weekend admissions total, alongside Gladiator II and Wicked. Together, the trio delivered 1.31 million admissions and a total box office haul of $24 million, Australia’s biggest since last year’s Barbenheimer phenomenon.
Moana 2’s audience snapshot
- 690,000 admissions, with a 60% female audience.
- 51% of viewers fell within the coveted P25–54 demographic, reinforcing the film’s cross-generational appeal.
- Three times the opening weekend earnings of the original Moana (2016).
Moana 2 didn’t just conquer the Australian box office, it shattered records worldwide, grossing $386 million globally over its opening weekend.
“We anticipated Moana 2 would be a major cultural moment for family audiences, and it has more than delivered,” said Guy Burbidge, managing director of Val Morgan Cinema. “Its $12.3 million opening positions it as one of the most successful animated films of all time, cementing its place in cinematic history.”
A box office renaissance
The combination of Moana 2, Gladiator II, and Wicked fueled what Burbidge called “a four-quadrant weekend,” drawing audiences across all demographics and delivering a powerful reminder of the cultural and commercial impact of cinema.
“With this incredible momentum, brands have a golden opportunity to reach highly engaged audiences on the big screen,” Burbidge said.
What’s next?
The box office heatwave is set to continue, with Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 expected to dominate the summer season. Looking into 2024, highly anticipated releases like Paddington in Peru, Captain America: Brave New World, and Snow White promise to keep the momentum going.
Source: CineTAM 2024